affordable housing

The April 4 election is the first under redrawn Kansas City Council districts, which means residents may be voting in a different district than they have in the past. Several races, while non-partisan, have become heated and intense.

The Veterans Community Project, located at 89th and Troost, is dedicated to moving unhoused veterans off the streets. The organization owns a village of tiny homes that houses veterans free of charge and without a deadline to move out.

Flourish Furniture Bank started in a church basement and has since expanded to a 30,000 square foot warehouse, bursting with upcycled furnishings and home supplies. And thanks to its partnerships with Kansas City social service agencies, the shopping spree is entirely free.

With the end of pandemic-era housing protections, Midwest states are ramping up evictions again, which is causing a growing public health crisis. Since March 2020, the average rent for a one-bedroom apartment has increased nearly 18% percent in Missouri.

A law passed last year made sleeping on state-owned land a misdemeanor in Missouri. It went into effect Jan. 1, but critics say there is still a lack of clarity from the state surrounding its implementation — and a lack of resources to actually help unhoused residents.

A former Days Inn hotel has been transformed into a unique sanctuary for Kansas City's unhoused population. Plus: A Missouri town offers a case study for what happens when rural hospitals close and jeopardize access to critical health care.

In 2022, hundreds of refugees made their way to Kansas City with hopes of finding help. This year also saw tenants in housing court receive much-needed assistance with their legal representation. We'll take a look at the biggest housing stories of 2022.

The law bans sleeping, camping or setting up long-term shelters on state-owned land. Multiple lawsuits against the measure by homeless advocates have been filed, though no rulings have been issued.

Lotus Care House is taking a different approach to counter the homeless crisis. Unique support services like their path to housing and medical recovery programs help navigate the homeless from the street to permanent housing.

Prairie Village is considering updating its zoning laws to help create more affordable options and encourage diversity in a city short on both. But the proposed changes are drawing vocal opposition from some residents.

Some community members have expressed disproval about recommendations to modify residential zoning guidelines in Prairie Village. But others say the proposal will help the city to be more affordable, inclusive and diverse.

Critics say that the streamlined tax incentive process under Ordinance 220701 would prevent Kansas City residents from providing input on developments that could affect their children’s schools or their own cost of housing.