Kansas City, Missouri – Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas and the City Council have significantly moved Kansas City toward addressing and solving the city’s affordable housing challenges with the approval of a $6.7 million investment on eight new Housing Trust Fund projects. These projects intend to build and maintain 684 affordable, transitional, and supporting homes, therefore helping to alleviate the city’s housing crisis.
Mayor Lucas, who has made affordable housing a top focus since the Housing Trust Fund’s founding in 2018, has approved the funds within a larger, long-term goal. The fund was created to accelerate the construction of affordable homes for Kansas City residents with incomes either at or less 60% of the Area Median Income (AMI). This program has becoming increasingly important in offering safe, secure, and affordable homes as many people struggle to keep up with escalating housing prices.
“Since becoming Mayor, I’ve been committed to ensuring hardworking families, seniors, and all Kansas Citians alike have access to safe, quality, and dignified homes they can afford. I am proud the Housing Trust Fund has made it possible for us to invest nearly $40 million to support the creation and preservation of more than 2,000 affordable homes since the Housing Trust Fund’s inception in 2021, with millions more available for additional projects ahead,” said Mayor Lucas in a statement.
For years, Kansas City’s affordable housing crisis has been a major concern since many of its citizens struggle with high rents and restricted access to quality homes. Along with building new homes, the recently granted $6.7 million will help to preserve already existing ones so guaranteeing the availability of the housing supply for next generations. These funds are a component of a $75 million commitment obtained since 2018 to enhance living conditions for most vulnerable groups in Kansas City.
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The Housing Trust Fund’s projected receiving support this year emphasizes meeting the various housing needs of the city. These include affordable family homes, transitional homes for people experiencing homelessness, and supportive housing for those in need of extra services. The variety of housing styles illustrates the city’s dedication to provide a place for everyone from all walks of life.
Housing Trust Fund Advisory Board Chair Mary Owens highlighted the significance of these initiatives in overcoming finance gaps that usually stop the advancement of affordable housing projects.
“It is exciting to see Housing Trust Fund projects coming to completion around the city and we hope to build on this momentum and deepen the Housing Trust Fund’s impact in future funding rounds,” Owens said.
In order to highlight the results of these initiatives and offer perceptions of how the Housing Trust Fund operates, Kansas City’s Housing Department recently arranged a bus tour for interested parties. The trip highlighted how directly city investment helps local communities and how important it is in producing sustainable, affordable housing choices.
Mayor Lucas and the City Council remain committed to provide Kansas City more possibilities for affordable housing going forward. The city keeps moving ahead to guarantee that every person has a safe, affordable place to live as millions more are set aside for upcoming initiatives.
This most recent $6.7 million contribution is only one component of a larger plan to solve the housing crisis; Kansas City residents should anticipate further initiatives to make excellent, affordable homes a reality for everybody as the city looks ahead.
Fourth round approved projects
- Parade Park Redevelopment, 1903 E. 15th Terrace ($1.7 Million) – a redevelopment of the 26-acre Parade Park Homes. Developer Twelfth Street Heritage to create 240 affordable housing units.
- Cardinal Ridge Apartments, 14200 E. 49th St. ($1.5 Million) – an affordable rental preservation project by the NHP Foundation serving seniors and families. The project preserves 144 affordable units.
- Mohawk at 15th, 1531 Holmes St. ($925,000) – project creating 38 affordable homes at 60% AMI in the Crossroads, led by Grayson Capital.
- Lion House, 3702 E. 61st St. ($198,938) – transitional and supportive housing project led by Our Spot (Phase I) to provide housing and services to housing insecure LGBTQ young people.
- Mayfair Apartments, 1224 E. Linwood Blvd. / 3134 Tracy Ave. ($600,000) – an affordable rental preservation project by TAG Development LLC. The funding will preserve 59 affordable units, with at least 15% of units set aside for permanent veteran housing.
- Trails at Bannister Apartment Homes, 6200 E. Bannister Rd. ($1 Million) – project led by Pedcor Investments creating 216 new affordable housing units across multiple three-story buildings.
- Teacher Like Me, 4121 & 4125 Tracy Ave. ($412,868) – creation of two duplexes with two bedrooms to house 8 teachers for three-year increments. The project, led by the Teachers Village, will add create three total affordable homes.
- Heroes Home Gate, 2005 E. 35th St. ($425,623) – transitional and supportive housing for homeless veterans, offering supportive services entirely free to residents. The project, led by the Ivanhoe Neighborhood Council, will support 24 transitional and supportive homes for veterans referred by the Department of Veterans Affairs.
