Spring, 2013

Board of Directors
Greg Hill..President Diane Deuser...........Vice President Anne McInerney.Treasurer Sharla Blank..Secretary Members Terry Iles John Rew Judy Nickleson Joy Thompson Pat Verschelden

DIRECTORS CORNER Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Chris Palmer and I am the new Executive Director here at Cornerstone of Topeka, Inc. When I told people I had taken the position as ED at Cornerstone several of them said, Oh, thats great! They do such good work What is it that they do? It was nice to see that Cornerstone is well thought of even if there are folks out there who dont know why. This is the first of what we hope to be regular publications intended to educate the community about what we do and who we serve. After 27 years of serving those Topekans in need of affordable housing. Cornerstone currently has 95 properties consisting of 158 housing units. Twenty of these units are dedicated to the homeless in our community. At any given time we have less than a 5% vacancy rate and we always have a waiting list for our homeless units. We are proud to announce that this summer will bring the construction of three new 3 bedroom single family homes to be added to the Cornerstone Housing Stock, two will be located in Central Topeka and one will be located in North Topeka.

Cornerstone Staff
Chris Palmer..Executive Director Carol Mickens.....Finance Manager Dora Coronel..Property Manager Jerry Yoder.Maintenance Jeff Landers...Maintenance Sonya Sparks.Admin. Assistant

Mission Statement All Cornerstone efforts are directed towards interrupting the cycle of homelessness, providing decent, safe, accessible, and affordable housing of choice to moderate and low-income households, and revitalizing Topeka neighborhoods.

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Who Are We?

Cornerstone of Topeka, Inc. is a non-profit affordable housing organization dedicated to providing safe and affordable housing to low-income households in the Topeka community. We are a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization in good standing and registered with the Office of the Kansas Secretary of State. We are the only Community Housing Development Organization (CHDO) in Shawnee County, certified by the State of Kansas and the City of Topeka. We are located in the Buchanan Center, on the corner of 12th & Buchanan Street. Come visit us during our office hours, Monday thru Friday, 8:00 am- 5:00 pm. or Visit us at www.corner1.org or Connect with us on

Cornerstone History
Cornerstone of Topeka, Inc. was founded in 1986, by a group of citizens concerned about the growing number of homeless among working families with children. The organization began with a short-term Transitional Housing & Education Program, providing housing and resources to assist families experiencing homelessness get back on their feet. In 1990, services expanded to provide long-term housing through the Affordable Housing Program. The program has grown steadily over the years to include approximately 150 units.

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Cornerstone Housing
Cornerstone properties are located in parts of South East Topeka, and Central Topeka. Our Affordable Housing rent ranges between $350- $500 a month. Tenants are responsible for all utilities. A $25 applicant fee is required. Cornerstone offers short-term and long-term housing options for households experiencing homelessness. The Short-Term Housing offers a month-to-month lease, with all utilities paid. It is the intention for the household to secure permanent housing within 6 months. The Long-Term Housing offers a 1 year lease, with all utilities paid. A referral from a social service agency working with the household and can verify homelessness is required.

Affordable Housing

Transitional & Homeless Housing

Cornerstone Village Apartments

Cornerstone Village was built in 2010. There are sixteen 2-bedroom units, and four 3-bedroom units. Each one level unit has private entrances and private back patios. Other features include an attached single car garage with electric opener, all electric energy efficient appliances, and washer and dryer in every unit. Applicants interested in these properties must meet income restrictions and are required to complete an Annual Income Certification.

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Many of Cornerstone of Topeka tenants receive government issued housing subsidies; however 68% of tenants do not. We primarily serve the working poor with an income at or below the 50% median household income for this area. Successful applicants have access to safe, clean and well maintained properties at an affordable rental rate. Each of our tenants must have income to be considered for housing. Although we are still a landlord with requirements for applicants, for the most part we will try to give folks a second chance if they have been denied housing due to trouble renting in the past. All our properties offer rental rates that are below fair-market rates. We accept Section 8, Shelter+Care, and the VA VASH Program.

Corner News is a published by Cornerstone of Topeka, Inc., a non-profit 501 (c)(3) organization founded in 1986, whose mission is to interrupt the cycle of homelessness by providing decent, safe, accessible, and affordable housing.

1195 SW Buchanan St., Ste 103 Topeka, KS 66604

PHONE: 785-232-1650 FAX: 785-232-3255

www.corner1.org

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