🎧 In this episode of Housing for Good, we’re joined by Dalton Black and Amanda Lowe from United Way of Harvey and Marion Counties.

From housing and childcare to food access and advocacy, this conversation explores what it really takes to support communities in meaningful, lasting ways. Dalton and Amanda share how their team is working across multiple initiatives - including housing alliances, early childhood programs, and community health efforts - to address complex, interconnected challenges.

We also dive into the realities behind poverty, the importance of meeting people where they are, and why collaboration across organizations is critical to creating real change. One powerful takeaway - it’s not just about helping people downstream, it’s about going upstream and fixing the systems that cause the problem in the first place.

If you’ve ever wondered how community impact actually happens on the ground, this episode offers a thoughtful and honest look behind the scenes.

🎧 This week on Housing for Good, we sit down with City of McPherson Public Works Director Eric Duerksen to explore how the systems behind the scenes shape housing, development, and everyday life in our community.

From streets and wastewater to planning, zoning, and long-term growth, Eric shares what Public Works actually does - and why it plays such a critical role in making housing possible.

Along the way, Chris reflects on a recent travel experience that highlights just how difficult it can be to navigate complex systems without rest, clarity, or support - offering a powerful reminder of what many families face when dealing with housing instability.

This episode connects infrastructure, process, and lived experience to show how communities function - and how they can improve.

In this episode of Housing for Good, Karolyn sits down with Matt Lowe, Director of Community Impact at United Way of the Plains, to explore the realities shaping housing and community stability across South Central Kansas.

The conversation looks at the growing pressure on working families, the increasing challenge of affordable housing, and how these issues are impacting communities across the region. Matt also shares how United Way is working to bridge gaps by strengthening collaboration between organizations and focusing on outcomes that lead to lasting stability.

They also discuss the role of housing navigators, the importance of coordinated systems, and the challenges surrounding individuals with more complex needs. As the conversation makes clear, addressing these issues will require continued collaboration and broader community engagement in the years ahead.

This episode offers a grounded look at what it takes to create meaningful change - and why working together is essential.

In this episode of Housing for Good, Chris sits down with Michelle Martin from the City of Salina’s Community Relations Division to explore the role of fair housing, civil rights protections, and the growing challenges facing communities across Kansas.

From housing discrimination and emotional support animal policies to homelessness strategy and affordable housing gaps, this conversation highlights how local governments and community partners are working to navigate complex systems while supporting residents in need.

Michelle shares insight into Salina’s unique Fair Housing Assistance Program partnership with HUD, the importance of education for both tenants and landlords, and how collaboration across agencies can lead to more effective housing solutions.

You’ll also hear details about the upcoming Fair Housing Seminar in Salina and how initiatives like housing rehabilitation grants and strategic planning are shaping the future of housing stability in the region.

In this episode of Housing for Good, Chris Goodson and Karolyn Moore talk about their recent visit to Topeka and the housing issues currently being discussed in the Kansas legislature.

They walk through several housing bills that could impact renters, landlords, and communities across the state. Topics include property maintenance standards, rental application transparency, eviction records, and how housing policies affect neighborhood stability and property values.

The conversation also highlights why advocacy matters. Chris and Karolyn share why it is important for everyday citizens to connect with their legislators and help them understand the real-world impact of housing policy.

Housing policy may be debated in Topeka, but the outcomes shape communities across Kansas.

In this episode of Housing for Good, Chris and Karolyn are joined by Jayna, a high school student who recently attended Capitol Hill Day in Topeka with the McPherson Housing Coalition. Jayna shares her experience meeting legislators, learning about housing advocacy, and seeing firsthand how organizations across Kansas work together to support families.

The conversation explores how housing stability connects with social work, why safe housing is so important for children and families, and how young people can begin learning about advocacy and community service.

In this episode of Housing for Good, we explore why aging care is quickly becoming a housing stability issue.

With more than 10,000 Americans turning 65 each day and long-term care costs rising dramatically, families are often forced into crisis decisions that can destabilize housing and finances. Sara from Sunshine Meadows/Stay Your Way joins us to discuss a continuing care at home model designed to help seniors remain in their homes while proactively planning for future care.

If we are serious about housing stability, we must include aging in the conversation.

In this episode of Housing for Good, Chris and Karolyn welcome Tammy Thayer and Rachel Holt from Ashby House in Salina, Kansas.

Ashby House provides emergency shelter, transitional housing, supportive services, and permanent supportive housing for women, single fathers, and families with children experiencing homelessness. The conversation explores how their programs work, what real success looks like for families rebuilding their lives, and why community partnerships are essential to long-term housing stability.

From case management and life skills training to homeless prevention and expanding their campus, this episode highlights what it truly takes to move someone from crisis to stability.

If you believe housing changes lives, this conversation is for you.

In this episode of Housing for Good, Chris and Karolyn sit down with Sarah Muehler and Meaghan Reamy of Mac-Town Fitness Company to explore how housing stability can ripple outward into entrepreneurship, youth development, and long-term community resilience.

Sarah shares her family’s powerful full-circle story - from working with the McPherson Housing Coalition to purchase their first home, to using that stability to launch a thriving local business. Meaghan walks us through Forging Youth Resilience, a free fitness and mentorship program for kids and teens that builds confidence, emotional awareness, and belonging far beyond the gym walls.

Together, they unpack why housing, mental health, youth engagement, and stability are all deeply connected - and how investing in kids today helps shape healthier communities tomorrow.

This week on Housing for Good, we pick up right where we left off in What Works in Permanent Supportive Housing

In Part 2, Chris and Karolyn continue the conversation by digging deeper into what it actually takes to move housing projects forward - from building relationships with contractors and grant providers to working with donors, volunteers, and community partners.

This episode is all about the behind-the-scenes reality: the conversations, coordination, and trust-building that turn an idea into real housing.