The Fostering Residential Advancement through Mentoring and Education (FRAME) grant is a funding initiative aimed at supporting technical and community colleges in Kansas. The goal of the grant is to enhance or expand programs that train skilled trades workers while addressing the state's housing needs. The program focuses on fostering collaboration between colleges and local high school students, encouraging hands-on experience in home construction. This initiative is a response to the findings of a housing study conducted by the Kansas Department of Commerce and the Kansas Housing Resources Corporation, which identified a shortage of construction workforce capable of meeting the growing housing demand.
The FRAME grant provides financial assistance to institutions that have an established building program. Colleges that apply must demonstrate the ability to either directly provide or collaborate with industry partners to offer training in all aspects of home construction, including building, plumbing, electrical work, and HVAC installation. By equipping students with these essential trade skills, the program aims to help alleviate workforce shortages and support housing development throughout the state.
Funding for the FRAME program is set at a total of $2 million, with individual grants ranging from $250,000 to $1,000,000 per institution. While there is no direct cash match required, salaries and benefits necessary for program implementation will be considered in-kind matching funds. The funding can be used for a variety of program needs, including materials, instructional costs, and collaboration efforts with local high schools to ensure long-term program sustainability.
Eligible applicants are limited to technical and community colleges located in Kansas with pre-existing building programs. These institutions must demonstrate their ability to engage in full-scale home construction or establish partnerships that allow for a comprehensive training experience. The grant is designed to ensure that houses built through the program are sold within 180 days of completion, though extensions may be granted by the Kansas Department of Commerce.
The application process for the FRAME grant opens on December 1, 2024, and closes on February 14, 2025. Awards will be announced in March 2025. The program is expected to run during the academic school year, from August 1, 2025, through May 31, 2026. Houses constructed under the program must be sold within the specified timeframe to maintain program viability.
For additional information, applicants may contact Hugh Carter, the Director of Performance and Programming at the Kansas Department of Commerce. He can be reached by phone at (785) 480-9389 or via email at Hugh.Carter@ks.gov.
