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Record of Proceedings

Kansas City Business Session: Houselessness Plan Update and Housing Trust Fund Discussion - October 28, 2021

City Council Business Session — Thursday, October 28, 2021
BodyKansas City, Missouri
SessionCity Council Business Session
DateThursday, October 28, 2021
StatusFILED
Video Record
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Transcript — Verbatim
1:09

Welcome to business session.

1:11

Our first item is approval of minutes for business session of October 10th or October 21st, 2021.

1:17

Is there a motion?

1:18

So it's been moved and seconded.

1:21

All in favor indicate by saying aye.

1:23

Aye.

1:24

All opposed.

1:25

The motion passes.

1:26

We will start with a houselessness plan update.

1:29

I believe Ms.

1:30

Gilmore.

1:32

Good afternoon, Mr.

1:33

Mayor and Council Members Kamiko Gilmore City Manager's Office.

1:37

I have with me Jennifer Tidwell from our housing director, and also Councilwoman Parkshaw will have a part of this presentation as well.

1:46

So we want to start out with some early success.

1:50

We want to highlight the success of our 90-day hotel program.

1:54

In all, we provided 98 days at the hotels with 12 hotels in the area, and during that time, over 400 people were sheltered.

2:11

More than 100 access improved benefits, and two healthy babies were born.

2:19

Absolutely.

2:22

Is that better?

2:23

Perfect.

2:23

Thank you.

2:25

Yes, I I can hear myself better as well.

2:29

So and like I was saying, I I love to say that two healthy babies were born because that probably would not have happened if they were not in the shelter at the time.

2:40

Next, we are excited to announce that as of this week, the emergency rental assistance program team has expended 100% of the $14 million received by the housing and community development department for rental assistance.

2:55

Through the emergency rental assistance program, 3,098 households that were at risk of homelessness were served at an average of 4,400 per household.

3:04

And we will continue to continue the emergency rental assistance program, which will divert individuals and families from becoming homeless and unhoused with the ERAP 2 funds.

3:25

Currently, will automatically be entered into the system to receive these funds.

5:06

The operations at the emergency rental assistance center were also enhanced by a volunteer force of many women and men from St.

5:16

James United Methodist Church led by Yuvette Richards.

5:19

And in addition, we'd like to also thank the community organizations that were asked that were tasked to distribute funds as well.

5:28

They, as trusted community partners, are an asset to this work.

5:34

Earlier this year, the manager introduced a vision for housing.

5:37

The goal is to create 10,000 new low-income housing units by 2027.

5:43

And this is aggressive but definitely necessary if we are going to provide affordable housing for residents and decrease our incidence of homelessness in our community.

5:52

And according to the May 29th report by the U.S.

5:57

Interagency Council on Homelessness, when housing costs are more affordable and housing opportunities are more readily available, there is a lower likelihood of households becoming homeless.

6:09

And households who do become homeless can exit homelessness more quickly with greater likelihood of sustaining that housing long term.

6:17

Director Tidwell.

6:19

So this is not an expansive list, and there could be more creative alternatives out there for us to pursue.

6:27

However, I do believe that this is a great list to start with, and we will be very aggressive about creating and preserving units throughout the city.

6:40

And I do also want to mention there is a mention here about some innovative methods for housing.

6:49

We are working with organizations like the KC tenants on housing ideas, so we're hoping to bring some additional ideas forward in the in the future.

6:59

And I want to add as well that we'll be working with a lot of our neighborhoods in redevelopment efforts as well.

7:08

And so we have lots of thoughts about how to get those units done.

7:14

Director Tidwell, this is yours.

7:18

So I wanted to talk a little bit about the Affordable Housing Trust Fund.

7:23

We the council approved two projects just recently for two projects, and it will uh give us 152 units.

7:35

These units are 60 percent of median income and less, with half of them being 30 percent of median income.

7:43

So we believe that this is a great start uh in trying to create affordable housing.

7:49

In addition to that, uh 12.5 million dollars of that was set aside uh under the American Rescue Plan Act.

7:58

Uh about four uh million of that will go to those two projects.

8:04

However, we are hoping that as we uh move forward, especially in the second tranche of the American Rescue Plan, that we'll get additional funds in order to uh try to put more projects and more units on the street.

8:20

Uh the allocation process is under review uh with our housing trust fund ordinance, and we we're hoping that that will uh come to fruition real soon so that we can get working.

8:34

Councilwoman Parkshaw, chair of the mayor's houseless task force will provide an update on the work of the task force starting with the recent extreme weather coordination efforts led by our emergency operations center.

8:46

Councilwoman.

8:47

Thank you very much.

8:47

Um, if you'll advance to the next slide.

8:50

As we all see the weather is getting colder outside, uh, which brings us more to a sense of urgency for establishing extreme weather plans.

9:01

Um, however, we are working very diligently and and with a sense of urgency to establish this plan for cold weather.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Homelessness█████████████████████████████████████████████56%
Affordable Housing██████████████████22%
Public Engagement██████7%
Housing and Community Development█████6%
Regional Planning███4%
American Rescue Plan██3%
Public Safety██2%
Summary of Proceedings

Kansas City Business Session: Houselessness Plan Update and Housing Trust Fund Discussion - October 28, 2021

The Kansas City Council held a business session on October 28, 2021, focused primarily on an update regarding the city's houselessness plan, including early successes, immediate winter preparations, and recommended proposals for housing interventions. The session also included a brief discussion on a docket item concerning the creation of an advisory committee for the Affordable Housing Trust Fund. The meeting began with approval of minutes and featured presentations from city staff and Councilmember Raina Parkshaw.

Consent Calendar

  • Approved the minutes for the business sessions of October 10 and October 21, 2021, by voice vote (all in favor).

Discussion Items

Houselessness Plan Update

  • Early Successes: The 90-day hotel program provided shelter for over 400 people across 12 hotels over 98 days, resulting in two healthy births and over 100 individuals accessing improved benefits.
  • Emergency Rental Assistance: The city expended 100% of the $14 million in ERAP funds, serving 3,098 at-risk households at an average of $4,400 per household. The program will continue with ERAP 2 funds.
  • Long-Term Goal: The city aims to create 10,000 new low-income housing units by 2027, citing that affordable housing reduces homelessness.
  • Affordable Housing Trust Fund: Two projects were approved, providing 152 units (60% AMI and less, half at 30% AMI). $12.5 million from ARPA was set aside, with approximately $4 million allocated to these projects. The allocation process is under review.
  • Extreme Weather Plan: Councilmember Parkshaw outlined a coordinated response involving multiple partners (American Red Cross, KCATA, health department, etc.). Key elements include:
    • Daily shelter bed capacity tracking.
    • Additional support to existing shelters rather than creating new city-run spaces.
    • A 2-1-1 referral hotline and a website for real-time information.
    • City Union Mission providing warehouse space for donations.
    • Free COVID-19 rapid testing for shelters to expand capacity.
    • American Red Cross volunteer training.
  • Recommended Proposals (from 18 RFPs):
    1. Hotel conversion (Lotus Care House): Single-room occupancy for 100 individuals, including 75 with medical needs. Estimated cost: $1.3 million for first year.
    2. Amethyst Place expansion: Pre-development costs of $300,000 for a permanent supportive housing project (22 apartment units and 12 townhouses, total cost $14.1 million). Expected completion summer 2023 if tax credits awarded.
    3. Hope Faith pallet shelter: Semi-permanent shelter for 60–100 individuals.
  • Staff clarified that the ordinance for these proposals would be introduced that day as a placeholder, with contract negotiations ongoing.
  • Councilman O'Neill questioned accountability and oversight of the $1.3 million for Lotus Care House. Staff confirmed the hotel is currently operational and would provide immediate use.
  • Councilwoman Robinson inquired about the overall homeless census (estimated 1,700–2,000, potentially 40% increase by 2022–2023, possibly 3,000 regionally), the number served by Bartle Hall (300–500/night), and gaps in the current plan. She requested details on the 18 proposals and policies on encampment sweeps. Staff noted that a regional response is being developed with MARC.
  • Councilwoman Parkshaw added that an ordinance co-sponsored with Councilwoman Robinson would allocate ARPA funds to support shelter staffing and supplies.
  • Councilwoman Shields expressed concern that the council was not given access to all 18 proposals to make informed decisions, comparing it to prior airport procurement issues. She requested a full list after contract negotiations.

Ordinance: Housing Trust Fund Advisory Committee

  • Councilwoman Shields asked about a docket item proposing a new committee to oversee the Housing Trust Fund. Councilman Fowler clarified that the committee is advisory only; the council retains final spending authority per the ordinance language.

Key Outcomes

  • The houselessness plan update received broad support with requests for additional transparency.
  • An ordinance authorizing the three recommended housing proposals is expected to be introduced and referred to committee.
  • Councilmember Parkshaw indicated that an ordinance on camp enforcement policies will be introduced next week.
  • The discussion on the Housing Trust Fund committee confirmed its advisory nature; no objections were raised.
  • Next steps include continued contract negotiations, committee hearings, and activation of the extreme weather plan in the coming weeks.

Meeting Transcript

Welcome to business session. Our first item is approval of minutes for business session of October 10th or October 21st, 2021. Is there a motion? So it's been moved and seconded. All in favor indicate by saying aye. Aye. All opposed. The motion passes. We will start with a houselessness plan update. I believe Ms. Gilmore. Good afternoon, Mr. Mayor and Council Members Kamiko Gilmore City Manager's Office. I have with me Jennifer Tidwell from our housing director, and also Councilwoman Parkshaw will have a part of this presentation as well. So we want to start out with some early success. We want to highlight the success of our 90-day hotel program. In all, we provided 98 days at the hotels with 12 hotels in the area, and during that time, over 400 people were sheltered. More than 100 access improved benefits, and two healthy babies were born. Absolutely. Is that better? Perfect. Thank you. Yes, I I can hear myself better as well. So and like I was saying, I I love to say that two healthy babies were born because that probably would not have happened if they were not in the shelter at the time. Next, we are excited to announce that as of this week, the emergency rental assistance program team has expended 100% of the $14 million received by the housing and community development department for rental assistance. Through the emergency rental assistance program, 3,098 households that were at risk of homelessness were served at an average of 4,400 per household. And we will continue to continue the emergency rental assistance program, which will divert individuals and families from becoming homeless and unhoused with the ERAP 2 funds. Currently, will automatically be entered into the system to receive these funds. The operations at the emergency rental assistance center were also enhanced by a volunteer force of many women and men from St. James United Methodist Church led by Yuvette Richards. And in addition, we'd like to also thank the community organizations that were asked that were tasked to distribute funds as well. They, as trusted community partners, are an asset to this work. Earlier this year, the manager introduced a vision for housing. The goal is to create 10,000 new low-income housing units by 2027. And this is aggressive but definitely necessary if we are going to provide affordable housing for residents and decrease our incidence of homelessness in our community. And according to the May 29th report by the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness, when housing costs are more affordable and housing opportunities are more readily available, there is a lower likelihood of households becoming homeless. And households who do become homeless can exit homelessness more quickly with greater likelihood of sustaining that housing long term. Director Tidwell. So this is not an expansive list, and there could be more creative alternatives out there for us to pursue. However, I do believe that this is a great list to start with, and we will be very aggressive about creating and preserving units throughout the city. And I do also want to mention there is a mention here about some innovative methods for housing. We are working with organizations like the KC tenants on housing ideas, so we're hoping to bring some additional ideas forward in the in the future. And I want to add as well that we'll be working with a lot of our neighborhoods in redevelopment efforts as well. And so we have lots of thoughts about how to get those units done. Director Tidwell, this is yours. So I wanted to talk a little bit about the Affordable Housing Trust Fund. We the council approved two projects just recently for two projects, and it will uh give us 152 units. These units are 60 percent of median income and less, with half of them being 30 percent of median income. So we believe that this is a great start uh in trying to create affordable housing.

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