South Kansas City pastor’s ministry takes on new shape: building affordable homes

Over the years, Darron Edwards’ south Kansas City congregation has made sure students have clean clothes and school supplies, distributed food to stave off hunger among those in need and provided mental health resources to churchgoers.

But all the while, Edwards has also seen families — perhaps headed by teachers, service workers, health care workers or first responders — struggle to afford stable housing. So now, the lead pastor at United Believers Community Church is taking on a new project that he’s called the “apex” of his ministry.

Building on years of service as a community leader, and with backing from the city, he’s working to bring dozens of affordable homes to working families on a site near the church.

“I’m a preacher. I’m not necessarily a real estate developer,” Edwards told The Star. “But because I’ve spent these 25 years in Kansas City, and I feel invested in the Hickman Mills community, and listening to the voices of people that come to this church or when I’m out in the community meeting with people, or at the schools talking to people: Housing is a huge issue.”

That issue has come into clear focus in his meetings with community members.

Alongside a development team that includes former Kansas City council member Troy Nash, Edwards plans to develop land near his church with about 60 new units of housing.

The new homes would be affordable to those making between 30% and 60% of the area median income, which in the Kansas City area is between $30,100 and $60,180 for a family of three.

That will help hard-working families in search of safe housing who may need a boost, Edwards says.

The development team plans to close on the property by the end of March, and the $19.5 million project could be fully occupied by early 2029. The project will also include community space and supportive resources for its residents.

Edwards’ project aims to make a dent in Kansas City’s shortage of more than 60,000 affordable housing units.

In January, the City Council approved granting $1.8 million in Housing Trust Fund dollars to help cover the costs of purchasing the land and other preliminary development needs. The project is also expected to make use of housing tax credits through the state.

And the project has attracted support from local leaders as a hometown project that will boost housing for workers, including former City Councilmember John Sharp, who lives in the area.

“This will be a great thing for our community,” Sharp said at a hearing in January. “We certainly need more high quality affordable housing.”

When Edwards joined his congregation more than a quarter-century ago, he promised them the “Jesus number,” or about 33 years of service. That was back when the church was located off Troost Avenue, before moving off Hickman Mills Road.

Edwards said Hickman Mills was once one of the city’s most affluent communities, but decades of disinvestment has led to a lack of new development in south Kansas City, highlighted by the closure of Bannister Mall and plans for a Cerner campus that didn’t come to full fruition.

“There’s always been, ‘South Kansas City is next. South Kansas City is next on the list.’” he said. “We watched development jump us. Go to Grandview. Jump us. Go to Belton. Go to Raymore.”

Edwards compared this moment to the top of the fourth quarter in a football game. Accomplishing this housing goal will help close out his ministry as he prepares for the prospect of new leadership, he said.

As for what the project will mean for the more than 50 families who will benefit, he says he’s “speechless.”

This story was originally published March 4, 2026 at 5:55 AM.