City Of Kansas City: Additional Emergency Rental Assistance Funding

Kansas City MO

22 December, 2021

9:23 AM

Description

Press release from the City of Kansas City: 12/21/2021 2:45 PM The new partnership between the City of Kansas City, Missouri, and the Missouri Housing Development Commission (MHDC) continues its push to eliminate houselessness and housing insecurity. The MHDC is providing $25 million in additional emergency rental assistance funding for KCMO residents struggling to pay their rent and/or utility bills. "We really appreciate the efforts of Congressman (Emanuel) Cleaver in making this additional funding available" said Jennifer Tidwell, interim director of the city's Housing and Community Development Department. "This additional funding provides help to families who need these resources to pay rent and utilities, especially this time of year." To date, the city has distributed nearly $16 million of allocated ERAP funding to nearly 3,600 households. This additional $25 million will be distributed as quickly as possible through the city's service partner provider agencies, Tidwell said. Those needing assistance can visit KCMO.gov/renthelp. "When the city contacted us about the possibility of a partnership, we saw it as an opportunity to continue our coordinated and cooperative effort to deliver assistance funds to those in need," said Kip Stetzler, MHDC Executive Director. The MDHC said the funding provided to the city does not replace assistance available through the state's State Assistance for Housing Relief (SAFHR) program. Those needing assistance can apply for those funds online. This is just one more step the city has taken in the last year to address the houseless crisis facing not only Kansas City, but cities across the nation. Those steps include: Support for the Housing Navigation Center operated by service provider partner Lotus Care. The center features 39 rooms for supportive housing for houseless individuals and families, with special emphasis on seniors 55 and older, single women, medically fragile adults and the LGBTQ+ houseless community. The center also provides wraparound services including health care, permanent housing placement assistance and social workers. Allocating $12.5 million to the City's affordable housing trust fund incentivizing the creation of affordable housing units and other housing options within larger market-rate multifamily development projects. With community input, developing a "Vision for Housing" that outlines the plan to create 10,000 new affordable housing units by 2027. Establishing a Housing and Community Development Department with the city's first employees dedicated to homelessness prevention and support, tenant advocacy and affordable housing creation and preservation. A plan to convert nearly 3,000 vacant lots and homes owned by the City's Land Bank into affordable housing. Constructing affordable housing on city-owned property in creative ways, such as the plan to incorporate affordable housing units into the reconstruction of the Barney Allis Parking Plaza. Media can contact Maggie Green, Media Relations Manager, at 816-379-6562. This press release was produced by the City of Kansas City. The views expressed here are the author's own.