Kansas City neighborhood leaders recently discussed the Housing Trust Fund and its potential to address housing shortages for low-income families. The fund, which was established to provide affordable housing options for those earning 60% or less of the area median income, has completed 365 affordable units to date.

Housing Trust Fund Overview

The Housing Trust Fund is a vital resource for families in need of affordable housing. Assistant City Manager Tammy Queen presented an overview of the fund, highlighting its role in filling funding gaps for housing developments. The fund has contributed to projects such as Amethyst Place and Forest Hill Village.

However, some neighborhood leaders expressed concern about the lack of applications from the Northland area. Jane Brown, 1st District board member, noted that the majority of applications come from south of the river, and that the Northland has historically had limited connection to City Hall. Olivia Meade, 4th District board member, emphasized the need to create neighborhood organizations in the Northland to increase participation in the Housing Trust Fund.

Upcoming Ballot Questions

The Kansas City Neighborhood Advisory Council also discussed upcoming ballot questions, including a request for $100 million in general obligation bonds to fund affordable housing. The bonds would be used to support the Housing Trust Fund and provide additional funding for affordable housing initiatives.

Original reporting: The Beacon (Kansas City) — read the source article.