Housing Task Force Matrix of Kansas City Practices

Neighborhood Self-Evaluation
From the Consolidated Plan (59): The City's FOCUS Neighborhood Assessment Team completed nearly 300 neighborhood self-assessments during which each neighborhood described itself within the framework of the four FOCUS area types: Developing, Conservation, Stabilization or Redeveloping.

Apartment Development Program
From the Consolidated Plan (60):  Rehabilitate or construct affordable rental units that create mixed-income developments in strategic areas. 

Minor Home Repair
From the Consolidated Plan (94): Low income homeowners (50% of median or less) are eligible for $5,000 labor and material costs for minor repair such as roof, furnace or plumbing replacements.

Barrier Removal Program
From the Consolidated Plan (94): Provides funds for accessibility improvements for disable persons.

Home Rebate Program
From the Consolidated Plan (94): Max of $4800 to low income homeowners that includes structure repairs, and exterior and interior improvements.  Residents in specific neighborhoods (Ruskin Heights and Blue Hills) can apply for $25,000 loan of which the city will pay $5,000 after competition of home improvements.

Model Block Initiative
From the Consolidated Plan (94): Certain neighborhoods can take advantage of combined programs (minor repair, weatherization, barrier removal, rehabilitation loan, home improvement rebate) if 51% of the block participates.

Sewer Improvement Program
From the Consolidated Plan (94): Assists home owners repair or connect to new public sewer system.

Single Family HOMEownership Program
From the Consolidated Plan (96): Provides up to 20% of purchase price plus $10,000 max lead safe grant on homes with max purchase price of $140,000 for residents below 80% median income.

American Dream Downpayment Program
From the Consolidated Plan (96): Provides up to $5,000 for down payment in target areas to first time home buyers.

Home Investment Partnership Program
From the Consolidated Plan (105): Kansas City sets aside 15% of total HOME allocation for Community Housing Development Organization to undertake projects.  Currently awarded to Vineyard Neighborhood for the Pak Pointe Housing Development.

Weatherization Program
Home Weatherization Program's goal is to reduce heating and cooling costs for low-income families, particularly for the elderly, people with disabilities, and children, by improving the energy efficiency of their homes while ensuring their health and safety

Dangerous Building Demolition and Preservation Division
Investigates, demolishes, repairs, and removes abestos. 

TIF Commission
From Economic Development Incentives Booklet:  For projects that meet the 'but for' test (this area would not be developed but for tif), developers can apply for TIF projects within designated conservation areas. 

Land Clearance  for Redevelopment Authority Incentives
From Economic Development Incentives Booklet: If a project is situated within an urban renewal area, then LCRA can grant land to the developer. Click here for more information.

353 Tax Abatement
From Economic Development Incentives Booklet: Kansas City provides 25 year, 100% tax abatement for projects located in designated 353 areas. 

Community Improvement District
From Economic Development Incentives Booklet: When a majority of property or retail owners decide to designate their area as a CID with city, they can tax themselves to provide improvement dollars for their area.

Neighborhood Improvement District
From Economic Development Incentives Booklet: Two types: economic and residential. Similar to CIDs, but also can qualify for additional funding.

Historic Tax Credit
From Economic Development Incentives Booklet: Provides state tax credit for up to 25% of costs for approved properties.

Community Housing Development Organization
Provides money for administrative capacity building to CBOs and CDCs that work with designated neighborhoods.

Kansas City Community Development Initiative
Modeled after National Community Development Initiative, this LISC program is a partnership of local foundations, government services, corporations and organizations that assists CDCs in working to improve the community.

Websites
Information, plans, processes, annual reports, and budget information can mostly be found on websites such as kcmo.org (Kansas City Government), lisc.org, edckc.org, etc.

SmartMoves Plan
A cooperative initiative of MARC, KCTA, the Johnson County Transit and Unified Government Transit.  Offers coordinated transit through out the Metro area and in the process of being implemented.
Click here to access the plan.

Kansas City Walkability Plan
Establishes pedestrian level of service standards and promotes incorporation of standards into development proposals. Click here to access the plan.

Citizen Participation Plan
From the Consolidated Plan (184): Citizens can get involved through three venues 1. neighborhood organizations, 2. CDCs, and 3. direct public participation at public meetings.  The city advertises all public meetings and calls for publicinput in the Kansas City Sat and Dos Mundos.

CAN Centers
Every CAN center houses a code enforcement officer from the city's Neighborhood Preservation Division and one or more KCPD police officers. These representatives partner with residents and neighborhood leaders to improve the livability of the neighborhood. Also supports Operation Neighborhood Preservation. Click here for more information.

Marketing
The city markets programs and notices for public input through the Kansas City Star and Dos Mundos.

Minority and Women Business Enterprise
The city maintains a database of certified MBE or WBE businesses and encourages their utilization in development projects.

Facade Rebate Program
From the Consolidated Plan (125): Encourages commercial building owners along eligible corridors  to receive rebates for facade improvement.  Can receive up to 50% or max of $15,000.

Kansas City Community Gardens
Kansas City Community Gardens (KCCG) is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life of low-income households and other members of the community by helping them grow their own nutritious fruits and vegetables. Click here for more information.