Update on Home Construction Efforts

September 5, 2025 | Doug Cowan, President & CEO

In April, we shared with you our ambitious plans to build three new, single-family homes on vacant lots owned by CSL. I am pleased to share with you that two houses have been built, and both are under contract to be sold to first-time homebuyers. We will start construction on the third lot later this fall.

CSL’s two homes, nearing completion, at the corner of East Waldo Avenue and North Noland Road in Northwest Independence.

As we talked about this endeavor, we shared that this development wasn’t solely for the purpose of building homes, but it was also for advancing our learning so that we could replicate this development, and improve upon it, for future opportunities.

So, what have we learned?

First, people are hungry for opportunities to be homebuyers. The process can seem daunting and out of reach for many. However, when we can slow the process down, we can make it manageable. Nearly 200 people contacted CSL, expressing an interest in purchasing a home.

Second, we think we can, time and time again, build a product that someone can own for less than their rental payment. When this happens, it promotes long-term affordability, because owners lock in their payments (with the assumption of some escalating payments due to increases in taxes and insurance). Renters can be subject to wild swings in their rent, especially if a property is sold and the new owner increases rents.

An interior view of 143 E Waldo. Our finished homes are 1,240 square feet, with three bedrooms and two bathrooms.

Third, partnerships are huge. We’ve been lucky to partner with the Independence School District, and we’ve employed their students in the Construction Trades pathway through the ISD Academies program. Check out the video below!

Fourth, we have leveraged corporate and trade partnerships to help make housing affordable. The Kansas City Council of the National Women in Roofing arranged for all the roofs to be donated, including the labor. Continental Siding, based in Independence, donated the siding and labor for all our houses. These donations made these homes more affordable for our new homeowners.

CSL is actively working to acquire additional lots for new home builds in 2026. We think we are best poised to continue doing infill development on vacant lots in existing neighborhoods. Furthermore, we look forward to additional partnerships with the Independence School District to continue to develop students and skilled laborers. If you have questions about our new home construction efforts, contact Donna Bradford at bradfordd@cslcares.org.