Housing

A GOP-led bill takes aim at ordinances passed in several Missouri cities to protect tenants from discrimination based on the source of their income — especially tenants who use federal housing choice vouchers to pay rent. But portions of Kansas City would be exempted under the Senate version.

The State Tax Commission has sent another order to Jackson County, this time about the 2025 assessments. The county's fight over the tax commission’s previous order has cemented a feud between a majority of legislators and County Executive Frank White Jr.

The county announced today that it will cap assessment increases at 15% this year. It has been embroiled in a monthslong legal battle over an order to roll back its 2023 assessments, which shocked property owners with a major tax increase.

The law allows the city to fine landlords who are found to have retaliated against tenants for complaining to the city’s code enforcement department. The city has only received a few complaints so far, and hasn't escalated any or issued fines, but that may change as more residents find out about the ordinance.

After a judge order Jackson County to roll back recent property assessment increases that were greater than 15% — roughly three out of four properties — the county faces tough decisions for what to do next. Meanwhile, the housing market continues to drive up property values.

The Kansas City Council passed a $2.5 billion budget for the 2025-2026 fiscal year, its largest ever. The police department will get even more money than before, while council members will discuss a proposal next week to fully fund the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority in the short term.

The city is pulling from several funding sources, including $12 million from the Housing Trust Fund, to support the first phase of development for Parade Park. The community was a Black-owned housing co-op and a source of pride for Kansas City's Black families.

Kansas City’s new streetcar has spurred the construction of more than 1,400 new apartment units along Main Street since 2017. These are some of the highlights, including historic renovations and new buildings.

The Republican bill was filed in response to a Kansas City ordinance passed last year that bans landlords refusing to lease to prospective tenants solely based on them receiving federal housing assistance.

Kansas City officials unveiled a $2.5 billion budget for the 2025-2026 fiscal year that reveals its spending priorities. Under the new system, the city will evaluate each program based on its importance to the community, not just carry it over from the previous budget.

Republicans and Democrats want to cut Kansas property taxes this year. But they can't decide on the best way to do it — and some worry that core local services like schools, roads and law enforcement could suffer as a result.

New Madrid, Missouri, seems obsessed with the fault lines under its surface, but few residents in the area have insurance in case a big earthquake hits again. Plus: Some places in southwest Kansas may only have 25 years of water left. One proposal to help would take river water from near Kansas City and move it to western Kansas.