Housing and Homelessness Support
In 2023 we made major progress in our efforts to support people who experience homelessness or housing insecurity. The Board of County Commissioners officially indicated its strong focus on this issue by including housing as one of four priority areas for 2023 and 2024. Johnson County’s first-ever Housing Coordinator, dedicated to coordinating our organization’s efforts and that of outside partners, began the position on Jan. 23, 2023.
Lighting the Way by…
…working with partners to build a homelessness services center
2023 was the year we got closer than ever to the first year-round, 24/7 facility in Johnson County to serve people experiencing homelessness. The BOCC ended 2023 by entering a $6 million real estate contract for the purchase of a Lenexa property, with another nearly $4 million of one-time HUD-HOME-ARP funds designated for remodeling should the building purchase be completed.
The vision is for this to be a community collaboration, centered around an expert agency that owns and operates the center, along with other community organizations that provide a host of wrap-around services to help residents move to safe, stable housing. The center may provide about 50 private units for temporary emergency shelter. Learn more about the center.
…partnering with landlords to help our residents use their Housing Choice Vouchers
One of the ways local and federal governments work together to make housing more affordable is with Housing Choice Vouchers (formerly known as Section 8.) It is tough for residents with vouchers to find landlords who are willing to accept this type of rent payment.
To mitigate that challenge, the Board approved a new Landlord Incentive Pilot Program, which launched July 1. The pilot program provides landlords with financial incentives to rent their units to low-income tenants using these vouchers. The BOCC allocated $200,000 from federal COVID funding to this effort. At the end of 2023, that funding resulted in:
- Recruitment of 23 new landlords
- Return of 6 landlords after a prolonged absence
- 83 families housed made up of 216 people total
- 121 children
- 41 working families
- 39 elderly/disabled families
Increasing landlord participation in this program turned out to be especially important because 2023 saw the first increase of vouchers to Johnson County from HUD since 2010! In September 2023, HUD awarded 19 additional vouchers to Johnson County, bringing up our total to 1,466.
…contributing financially to the dream of homeownership
In June 2023, the Board allocated $950,000 to fund infrastructure costs for a proposed Habitat for Humanity of Kansas City project at 159th Street and Black Bob Road in Olathe. In December 2023, the Board allocated $1,000,000 of federal HOME Investment Partnerships Program grant funds for construction of the project as well. This new neighborhood will include 14 single family homes qualified low-income residents can purchase. The homes are part of a land trust and will remain affordable to new qualified families in the future.
“Improving housing options for our residents is one of our key priorities,” said Mike Kelly, chairman of the Board of County Commissioners said at the time of the funding allocation. “By focusing on this issue and supporting affordable housing options, we also boost economic growth and help our residents achieve a better future for themselves and for their families.”
…slowing down evictions by providing another path
During the pandemic, the state and federal governments provided programs to help prevent people being evicted due to struggles with paying rent or utilities. Evictions leave a lasting negative economic impact on families as they stay on a rental history and credit record for a period of seven years. Evictions can also be challenging for landlords. Johnson County accounts for about 1/6 of the evictions statewide.
When those programs ended, Johnson County District Courts anticipated an increase in evictions. The BOCC allocated $12,000 of federal COVID funding towards a pilot eviction mediation program to help keep more people stably housed. When the data showed that 82% of the cases avoided an eviction judgment because the tenants successfully met the terms of their mediation agreements, the BOCC extended the program with an additional $134,000 allocation of federal COVID funding to extend the program through December 2024.
…providing more affordable and accessible housing for people with disabilities
Since 1990, Friends of JCDS has remodeled existing homes in Johnson County to make them more affordable and accessible for people who have intellectual and developmental disabilities and receive services from Johnson County Developmental Supports. 2023 marked a milestone year when Friends broke ground on what will be the first home it designs and builds from the ground up. By the end of 2025, Friends of JCDS will have a total of 24 homes serving 94 people.
Did You Know?
- Pledged $162,500 to the Human Services Fund to serve JoCo residents at or near the poverty level
- 0 claims made against Damages Reimbursement Claim fund for landlords
- 12 homeowners served through HOME Rehabilitation and 29 homeowners served through Minor Home Rehabilitation