Kansas City is ranked as one of the top five regions with the highest percentages of individuals experiencing chronic patterns of unsheltered homelessness according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Since November 2023, housing and shelter have made up nearly 45% of 211 resource inquiries.
Access to safe and affordable housing is critical to sustaining thriving communities. However, housing prices have increased not just in Kansas City, but across the country. It’s why United Way of Greater Kansas City’s Impact 100 includes several partners focused on housing solutions.
“Home is more than just a building, it’s the foundation we build our lives on,” said Rebekah Swank, Communications Strategist at Community Housing of Wyandotte County (CHWC). “Improving housing security can markedly improve quality of life by increasing job retention, educational outcomes, and decreasing systemic healthcare costs.”
Rebecca Dye, Director of Marketing & Communications at Habitat for Humanity KC added, “To live your best life and achieve your full potential, your most basic needs must first be met. If you are safe in your shelter, you can focus on other things—like leveling up your skills for better employment or building a safety net of savings for a rainy day.”
To combat the rise in cost of living and support attainable housing in the Kansas City metro’s wealthiest county, Habitat for Humanity KC has partnered with the Johnson County and Olathe governments on a new construction development, Pathway at Heritage Park Neighborhood. The build will feature 14 new, affordable homes and will include green space, walking paths, and a community garden.
“There is a preconceived notion that making affordable housing options available will automatically lead to lower property values and increased rates of crime and violence,” said Dye. “This is just not the case. In fact, studies often show that affordable housing can contribute to a safer community by improving neighborhood stability and positive economic conditions. Time and time again we have seen our Habitat KC homeowners participating in and lifting up their communities.”
In Kansas City’s Douglass/Sumner neighborhood, Impact 100 partner CHWC is working with Prairie Fire Development Group to construct 50 units of high-quality, mixed-income housing, Boulevard Lofts. The organization is working with partners like the Douglass/Sumner Neighborhood Association to best align with the needs of residents. With this new development brings hope for new investment in the area.
“Access to places to play, healthy food to nourish the mind, and access to the arts to nourish the spirit are also critical features of thriving places,” said Jannae Delacot, Marketing Coordinator and Executive Assistant at CHWC.
“CHWC is working at both ends of this problem to increase affordability in desirable neighborhoods and build desirable housing and amenities in neighborhoods that aren’t currently offering what their residents need,” said Swank.
Investing in organizations like CHWC or Habitat for Humanity KC that lead efforts in affordable housing is one of the most effective ways to address homelessness and housing stability at its roots, while also building thriving communities. This November, during Homelessness Awareness Month, we encourage you to explore the work of the dozens of community partners we support that specialize in housing security.
“Donors at every level provide the capital to make real and lasting change happen. Nails, lumber, paint—all these things cost money. However, the return on those financial investments can be measured in thriving families and uplifted communities,” said Dye. Through community support, nonprofits working to create access to safe and affordable housing are better equipped to innovate, adapt to changing conditions, invest in relationship building and more. To donate to support this cause, visit here.
If you are interested in supporting housing developments in Kansas City through volunteering, visit CHWC and Habitat for Humanity KC’s community partner pages for more information. From community gardening and event help at CHWC to home rehabilitation and financial literacy classes at Habitat for Humanity KC, the dedication of volunteers is a huge part of what makes this work possible.