Housing
Hundreds of Kansans Lost Their Apartment Due to Landlord Neglect. One Change in Law Could Help
GARDNER, Kansas — When the city of Gardner in eastern Kansas ordered Aspen Place apartments closed for unsafe living conditions last May, Candice Montgomery came home to a frantic neighborhood. She and other residents of the Gardner housing complex only had 48 hours to leave their homes. “It was total chaos,” Montgomery said. “My neighbors are everywhere, people…
Bodhi Home Reopens to Homeless Clients After Renovation
It has been nearly two decades since Kar Woo, a sculptor and gallery owner, established Artists Helping the Homeless (AHH) in Kansas City, Missouri. And Woo recently returned to his roots by renovating the first home opened by the nonprofit. AHH refreshed the Midtown home with about $60,000 in new paint, fixtures, appliances, and furniture….
Renters: How to Weatherize Your Home to Reduce Energy Costs
Energy burden is defined as the percentage of gross household income that is spent on energy costs. In some areas of the Kansas City Metropolitan area, residents experience an elevated energy burden. However, some energy costs can be reduced through weatherization. While it may be challenging to tackle as a renter, there are options to…
Watch: Mapping and Managing Energy Burden in Kansas City
Energy burden is defined as the percentage of gross household income that is spent on energy costs. In some areas of the Kansas City Metropolitan area, residents experience an elevated energy burden. We caught up with experts to learn more about how energy burden impacts residents and potential solutions for mitigating the problem.
College Students Grapple with Housing Troubles as Costs Soar
Sydney Johnson did everything right. Still, water poured from her ceiling. The now-graduated University of Missouri student spent winter break taking classes and staying at her off-campus apartment. A few weeks earlier, property management sent instructions for how to avoid pipe bursts during cold months, which Johnson followed. But her upstairs neighbors were not so…
Kansas City Home Builders Push Back on Energy Efficiency Rules, Blame Them for Housing Crunch
Homebuilders say Kansas City’s energy efficiency standards hinder housing construction and increase costs. Environmentalists say they combat climate change.
Neighborhood Blocks a Low-Barrier Shelter Addressing Homelessness in Kansas City
Kansas City is debating how to spend federal funds to shelter chronically homeless people. But plans for a new low-barrier shelter faced stiff opposition.
KCPS Ponders School in Brookside for Teacher Housing
Kansas City Public Schools may convert the closed and mothballed Bryant School into teacher housing. The public is encouraged to submit feedback by May 17.
As Homelessness Surges, Kansas Communities Look to Lawrence
Lawrence has invested in services to address homelessness. But some say that has that made it a tempting place to “dump” unhoused people from other communities.
Kansas City Homeowners Don’t Want to Sell. Here’s Why
If you’re looking to buy a home in Kansas City in today’s market, brace for higher mortgage rates, limited supply and tough competition.