Goodland Housing Director Sheila Barnett Talks Affordable Housing, International Conference, and the Future of Small-Town Communities

On the July 21st edition of the Good Neighbor Hour with Rollie Halligan, listeners got an inside look at affordable housing in Goodland through a candid and informative conversation with Sheila Barnett, Executive Director of the Goodland Public Housing Authority.

Barnett oversees 84 public housing units in Goodland, including Sparks Tower, Handy Tower, and family housing on the west side of town. With more than 35 years of experience in housing—beginning her career in Salina in 1990—Sheila brings a wealth of knowledge to her role.

During the interview, Barnett reflected on her recent trip to Dublin, Ireland, where she attended the International Social Housing Conference alongside 2,200 housing professionals from 45 countries and five continents. “It was on my bucket list,” she shared. The conference focused on global strategies for housing vulnerable populations, and Barnett noted the stark contrast in how other countries, like Ireland, fund and prioritize housing.

“One of the biggest takeaways,” she said, “is that in Ireland, housing is a government-supported social program and a direct line item in the national budget. Their government makes sure people are housed.”

Sheila also recently attended a national conference in New York City, where concerns about possible 46% federal budget cuts to housing programs were top of mind. A cut like that, she warned, could have devastating effects—even locally. “If we lose that funding, we could lose jobs, and the money that we do receive gets poured right back into the Goodland community.”

The local housing authority is currently undergoing a major renovation project funded by capital improvement dollars. About 20 of the 72 apartments at the towers are still awaiting upgrades, which include new flooring, cabinets, appliances, and countertops. The family housing units on the west side of town—originally built in the 1970s—are also being maintained and improved. Those units feature fenced yards, playgrounds, and even a tornado shelter.

Barnett emphasized how housing connects directly to the health of the entire community. “If we lose housing, we lose our hospitals, our schools, our small businesses—it’s all connected. You can’t bring in new industry if there’s nowhere for people to live.”

Applicants must meet income qualifications, and seniors, veterans, the disabled, and those who live or work in Goodland receive placement preferences. Currently, there are about 11 people on the waiting list, and units are full aside from those under renovation.

She encouraged residents who understand the value of public housing to contact their elected officials, especially as Congress debates funding decisions that could impact small-town housing nationwide. “If you’ve ever known someone who lived in the towers—or think you might someday—make sure your representatives know how important this is.”

Barnett's message was clear: housing is more than just a roof over someone's head—it's the foundation of a thriving community.

You can listen to more interviews like this on the Good Neighbor Hour with Rollie Halligan Monday thru Friday at 6 am mst on KLOE Goodland's Gold 730, and check out the NWKS Area Events Calendar for updates on what’s happening around the region, only at nwksradio.net.