Up To Date

Kansas City Tenants Unionize Against Two Landlords With Problem Properties

By Steve Kraske,

Published July 16, 2021 at 8:19 PM CDT

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A view of a bathroom ceiling with a wide hole, water stains and peeling sheetrock. — Substandard conditions like water damage and mold are among those tenants of landlord Matthew McGee are facing.

More than 50 tenants who live east of Troost have formed a union to get their landlords to address property situations.

Black mold, roach infestations, non-working appliances and structural issues are just some of the complaints of those who rent from Matthew McGee and Alex Schifman. Inhabitants of these apartments and houses say repeated calls for repairs go unanswered. What the newly formed McGee/Schifman Tenant Union plans to do to make these landlords bring their properties up to safe and healthy standards.

Nikki White, former tenant of one of Matthew McGee’s properties
Gabe Coppage, tenant of Matthew McGee property
Mason Andrew Kilpatrick, KC Tenants organizer

Tenants in Kansas City, Missouri can file a complaint through the city's Healthy Homes Inspection program by calling 311 or (816) 513-6347, online or through the myKCMO app.

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Up To Date Podcast Kansas City Missouri (KCMO)Tenants kc tenants Housing affordable housing homes home repair Health Unions

Steve Kraske

When I host Up To Date each morning at 9, my aim is to engage the community in conversations about the Kansas City area’s challenges, hopes and opportunities. I try to ask the questions that listeners want answered about the day’s most pressing issues and provide a place for residents to engage directly with newsmakers. Reach me at steve@kcur.org or on Twitter @stevekraske.

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Zach Wilson

As Up To Date’s senior producer, I construct daily conversations that give our listeners context to the issues of our time. I strive to provide a platform that holds those in power accountable, while also spotlighting the voices of Kansas City’s creatives and visionaries that may otherwise go unheard. Email me at zach@kcur.org.

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Danie Alexander

As senior producer of Up To Date, I want our listeners to hear familiar and new voices that shine light on the issues and challenges facing the myriad communities KCUR serves, and to expose our audiences to the wonderful and the creative in the Kansas City area. Just as important to me is an obligation to mentor the next generation of producers to ensure that the important conversations continue. Reach me at alexanderdk@kcur.org.

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