After years of neglecting its affordable housing policy, Kansas City is developing a new five-year vision on policy matters like a public-private trust fund and inclusionary zoning.
The Kansas City Neighborhoods and Housing Services Department recently released a plan to address the city's lack of affordable housing.
The draft Five-Year Housing Policy [pdf], "includes the creation or preservation of 5,000 single or multifamily units, a $75 million housing development trust fund and $15 million rehabilitation loan fund, and the potential of inclusionary zoning," reports Emily Nonko.
According to Nonko's explanation of the recent history of housing policy in the city, any unifying vision or planning agenda was lost while the city was in receivership as a result of a "2004 scandal regarding lack of financial accountability and oversight."
Since the city left receivership in 2013, the Missouri Housing Development Commission voted to cut all funding for state low-income housing tax credits. With the future of that program still up in the air, the city is looking for new ways to "think bold" about affordable housing in the city.
Thus, the City Council tasked the Neighborhoods and Housing Services Department to a new plan at the end of 2017, culminating in the release of the Five-Year Housing Policy draft in September.
FULL STORY: Kansas City’s Quest For a Real Housing Policy
Kansas City Star Editorial Board Laments 'Denverization'
The Kansas City Star Editorial Board has concerns about gentrification and affordable housing.
Not All of San Diego's Inclusionary Zoning Funds Going to Affordable Housing
San Diego finds itself having to explain how its inclusionary zoning program spending diverged from expectations.
Tennessee Legislature Blocks Nashville's 2016 Inclusionary Zoning Policy
Republicans in the Tennessee State Legislature made sure Nashville will never know if its inclusionary zoning policy would have delivered affordable housing in the city.
Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program
Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series
The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.
California Invests Additional $5M in Electric School Buses
The state wants to electrify all of its school bus fleets by 2035.
Austin Launches $2M Homelessness Prevention Fund
A new grant program from the city’s Homeless Strategy Office will fund rental assistance and supportive services.
Alabama School Forestry Initiative Brings Trees to Schoolyards
Trees can improve physical and mental health for students and commnity members.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Ada County Highway District
Clanton & Associates, Inc.
Jessamine County Fiscal Court
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service