COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR ORDINANCE NO. 220129

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Directing the City Manager to develop and prepare a targeted plan for reducing the number of evictions caused by inability to pay rent or utility bills in Kansas City and report back to the City Council within 30 days.

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WHEREAS, 37,259 evictions have been filed in the state of Missouri since March 15, 2020, despite a national eviction moratorium ordered by the Center for Disease Control during the COVID-19 global pandemic; and

WHEREAS, over 2,810 evictions have been filed in Jackson County during the year 2021 alone, with 44% of all renters considered “cost-burdened,” which means they spend more than 30% of their income on rent, and approximately 1800 evictions have been filed in Clay, Platte and Cass Counties; and

WHEREAS, 94,000 households in Missouri were behind on rent as of early August 2021 and tenants are at risk of losing their homes; and

WHEREAS, tenants of color, specifically Black women, are disproportionately impacted by evictions due to decades of inequalities in the American housing system. Black women are two times more likely to have an eviction filed against them compared to white people; and

WHEREAS, evictions in Kansas City are disproportionately filed in hot spot areas, including a disproportionate amount of evictions filed in the City’s 5th District; and

WHEREAS, 43.2% of evictions in Kansas City originate from the top 100 buildings; and

WHEREAS, the City has received $14,814,859.00 in federal Emergency Rental Assistance Program funds, and is expected to receive approximately $25,000,000.00 in additional funds, to assist Kansas Citians needing rental or utility relief assistance to help them get caught up on past due rent and utility bills; and

WHEREAS, the City Council wants to direct City resources in a targeted manner towards preventing eviction proceedings and evictions ; NOW, THEREFORE,

BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF KANSAS CITY:

Section 1.  That the City Manager is directed to develop a targeted plan to reduce the number of evictions caused by inability to pay rent or utility bills in Kansas City. 

Section 2. That the City Manager will consider the use of Emergency Rental Assistance Program funds for the funding of the plan, and also pursue additional funding sources.

Section 3. That the City Manager will report back to council and present this plan and proposed funding sources within 30 days of date this ordinance is signed by the Mayor.

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Approved as to form and legality:

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Emalea Black

Assistant City Attorney