affordable housing

High housing prices aren't just for the cities: Rural Midwest towns are now dealing with a surge of new residents and higher real estate costs as a result. Plus, how Kansas City playgrounds are making the city more inclusive for kids with disabilities.

A model where renters would own and govern the buildings they live in would create community accountability and lower the barrier for low-income tenants to achieve stable housing, according to organizers.

The Kansas City Council established a trust fund in 2018 to support affordable housing, but it never had any actual money to spend. Some housing advocates say the fund still doesn't fully address the needs of low-income renters.

Attorney Julie Anderson, whose term expired in 2020, will be replaced by LaDonna Gooden. Housing advocates had argued Anderson’s role as an eviction attorney undermined her ability to lead an organization tasked with affordable housing solutions.

As of the end of September, the state had awarded only 18% of the $323.7 million it received as part of the COVID-relief package Congress approved in December.

Cientos de complejos de departamentos — con menos de 20 unidades — han desaparecido del mercado de Kansas City porque los propietarios deciden que es más barato demolerlos que arreglarlos. Esto representa un gran golpe para el conjunto de viviendas económicas de la ciudad.

What's going on at the Kansas City Land Bank? The program's goal is to create more homes and community spaces by selling vacant, tax-delinquent properties. But a recent investigation revealed the Land Bank has potential conflicts of interest and fails to hold buyers accountable.

Kenneth Jenkins, propietario de su primera casa, se pregunta si es buena su decisión de comprar una casa debido a la estricta aplicación del código de leyes de Kansas City.

Una "pueblerina" de Midtown a la que se le ha privado de su medio de transporte. Una jubilada con ingresos fijos que se ve obligada a dejar su hogar de 17 años. Los inquilinos de Kansas City se enfrentan a una subida sustancial en sus rentas de alquiler, con graves repercusiones.

Nearly two years since the pandemic first hit and Kansas City leaders shared action plans, unhoused residents say their needs are still unmet — and the approaching cold weather means there's a lot at stake.

Kansas City is quickly losing its small apartment buildings, which could make the city more expensive and less inclusive. Plus, many arts and music venues are bouncing back after receiving federal aid, but some must close their doors for good.

The Kansas City Land Bank is supposed to revitalize neighborhoods. But a Beacon investigation found that the Land Bank has potential conflicts of interest between board members and buyers, and fails to hold buyers accountable to its own requirements. The result: Properties sit vacant for years.