Kansas City Council approves extension to affordability term for housing trust fund
The Kansas City Council on Thursday approved a housing trust fund ordinance, extending how long units using the fund must remain affordable.
The affordability requirement is now 30 years, instead of 20.
Mayor Quinton Lucas said the change of timing ensures consistency with other programs and allows enough time to make sure that affordable housing stays in the community.
That’s been a challenge in some low income housing tax credit investments in downtown, Lucas said.
“I thank all who will continue to work on ensuring we develop more housing affordability in our community,” Lucas said during the meeting. “Something that, by the way, relates to the homelessness conversation, our housing conversation. They’re all linked.”
The city established its housing trust fund in December 2018 to help revitalize neighborhoods, develop housing and implement preservation projects. A sticking point has been who oversees distribution of money from the housing trust fund. KC tenants has demanded a seat at the table to ensure the fund benefits those most in need.
Leaders with KC Tenants, a group led by poor and working class tenants organizing for affordable and safe housing, previously testified against the mayor’s proposal, calling it a “developer’s slush fund.”
It passed with 12 yes votes.
