Cleaver: KC now a model in nationwide struggle to provide rent and utility assistance

In a quick trip home from Washington, D.C.’s wars Saturday, U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver II stepped into the nest of Kansas City’s most vexing struggle. “Lack of adequate housing,” Cleaver said, “is the No. 1 issue right now in the United States. No question about it. This is it.”

'I came to lead the way;' See the faces of people getting vaccines at Morning Star

They were restaurant workers, community organizers, neighbors. . . . They came to get their Covid-19 vaccination — certainly because they wanted to protect themselves and others — but also with a sense of obligation to put their faces out front against fear and doubt.

Eviction filings on the rise again in Jackson County despite national moratorium

More than 1,700 evictions were filed in Jackson County since May 31, including more than 60 since a CDC moratorium on evictions was initiated Sept. 4, says data collected by the KC Eviction Project and KC Tenants.

Protections for renters, landlords rising to a head as eviction bans due to expire

The protections for renters against evictions in Jackson County are scheduled to expire June 1 — stirring anxiety among renters and landlords as another round of rent payments come due.

'That ain't right!' say tenants in KC virtual rally as concern over rents, mortgages grows

With so many jobless, so many fearing to join already swollen ranks of homeless, and both renters and landlords fearing mounting debt, the rally called for a statewide moratorium on rent and mortgage during the pandemic.

Debate is on: How do we protect tenants, landlords from post-pandemic evictions, debt

Evictions may be banned for now, but fear is building over what peril awaits both tenants and landlords on the other side of the COVID-19 pandemic.

KC council passes tenants bill of rights; trims tax incentives proposed for Waddell & Reed

UPDATE: Dec. 19, the council passes a trimmed-down incentives package for Waddell & Reed.

A tenants bill of rights sailed to overwhelming approval by the Kansas City City Council Dec. 12 as a full house of supporters — many of them renters with their own histories of housing struggles — cheered the fruits of their work. In a separate action, the City Council wants to take another look at tax incentives in a proposed move by Waddell & Reed that would impact the Kansas City Public Schools and charters.

In the face of winter: KC rally for Tenants' Bill of Rights descends on City Hall

The advocacy group KC Tenants gathered frustrated renters in a biting cold wind to the steps of City Hall Oct. 30 to call on the City Council to pass a Tenants’ Bill of Rights.