City commissioners to tour former convent before vote on nearly $1.6 million transitional housing grant application
FORT SCOTT, KS — Fort Scott city commissioners will tour the former convent at 810 S. Burke St. on Monday evening before deciding whether the city should apply for approximately $1.575 million in federal funding to convert the building into transitional housing for people experiencing homelessness.
The special meeting begins at 5 p.m. with a tour of the building, then reconvenes at City Hall, 123 S. Main St., where commissioners will consider authorizing the grant application.
Housing Development Coordinator Lisa Dillon introduced the concept during public comment at the commission's July 7 regular meeting, one day after the city's letter of intent was accepted and the city was invited to submit a full application.
The proposal, called BridgePoint Community, would renovate the building into a transitional housing facility offering case management, employment assistance, life-skills training, financial literacy and behavioral and physical health referrals, according to a draft project summary Housing Development Director Lisa Dillon provided to commissioners. The goal, the summary said, is to help individuals and families move from homelessness to permanent housing and long-term self-sufficiency.
“Tonight I am not asking the commission to take any action,” Dillon said at that meeting. “I simply would like to introduce a housing opportunity that has developed through the Continuum of Care program and to receive your initial thoughts before investing significant time in a full grant application.”
The application would request approximately $1,575,000 in federal funding through the fiscal year 2026 Kansas Balance of State Continuum of Care program. Dillon said the request would be included in a collective application submitted through the Kansas Statewide Homeless Coalition.
The application is due Friday, July 17.
“It's a quick turnaround on a grant,” Dillon said.
The grant requires an estimated 25% local match of $393,750. A draft city summary lists preliminary match sources of $200,000 in donated building equity — the difference between the building's appraised value and a negotiated purchase price — $30,000 in donated furniture, appliances and fixtures, and $150,000 in city-funded staff time for a half-time position over five years. The remaining $13,750 is anticipated to come from local opioid settlement funds, subject to approval.
| Match source | Amount |
|---|---|
| Donated building equity (difference between appraised value and negotiated purchase price) | $200,000 |
| Donated furniture, appliances and fixtures | $30,000 |
| In-kind salary contribution (half-time position over five years) | $150,000 |
| Remaining cash match (anticipated from local opioid settlement funds, if approved) | $13,750 |
| Total match | $393,750 |
Submitting the application does not obligate the city to accept the funding or commit matching dollars, according to the summary. If the project is selected, the award, final budget, proposed local match and grant agreements would return to the commission for approval.
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is expected to announce awards in December, with an estimated project start of January 2027, according to the summary.
The building, a former convent and nursing school, is owned by Bourbon County Revitalization LLC, according to the Bourbon County Register of Deeds office. State records show the company was formed in November 2024 and list former Fort Scott resident Robert Morris of Pittsburg as its only disclosed member.
Dillon told commissioners July 7 that she had been negotiating a purchase price with the property owner and drafting memorandums of understanding with partner organizations. She said she also expected a letter of support from the Southeast Kansas Mental Health Center for an extension office in the building.
Asked by Commissioner Matthew Wells whether the city would operate the facility, Dillon said she ultimately wanted a nonprofit or faith-based organization to run it. The city would serve as the applicant, she said, because most nonprofits are not in a position to administer a grant of that size.
Several commissioners expressed interest in continuing to explore the concept but said they wanted to see the building before voting. Commissioner Tim Van Hoecke asked whether utilities were connected and said he would prefer to see the interior.
Mayor Kathryn Salsbury also said she would rather walk through the building than receive photographs, leading to Monday's on-site tour.
Also on Monday's agenda is the proposed purchase of a 2018 Rammer Hammer 1655 for $18,500, presented by City Manager Brad Matkin.
A copy of the draft memo given to the commission during the July 7 meeting is linked below.
