ORDINANCE NO. 250177

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Sponsor: Councilmember Johnathan Duncan

Providing for the temporary suspension of the Property Owner Support Program until the conclusion of certain litigation.

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WHEREAS, the City of Kansas City is committed to promoting fair and equitable housing practices for all its residents, recognizing that access to safe and affordable housing is fundamental to individual well-being and community prosperity; and

WHEREAS, the City Council, after careful consideration and extensive community engagement, enacted Ordinance No. 231019, as amended, which prohibits discrimination based on source of income, including the use of housing vouchers, in the rental of housing; and

WHEREAS, this ordinance was crafted with the understanding that discrimination based on source of income disproportionately affects vulnerable populations, including families with children, people with disabilities, and veterans, limiting their housing options and perpetuating cycles of poverty; and

WHEREAS, in recognition of the concerns raised by housing providers regarding potential financial risks associated with accepting housing vouchers, the City Council, in a spirit of compromise and collaboration, established the Landlord Risk Mitigation Fund Pilot Program, now known as the Property Owner Support Program; and

WHEREAS, this Fund, with an initial allocation of $1,000,000.00, represents a significant and ongoing commitment by the City to support its housing providers and mitigate any legitimate concerns they may have about participating in programs designed to expand housing opportunities for all residents; and

WHEREAS, the creation of this Fund was a key component of the City's comprehensive approach to addressing housing discrimination, demonstrating a good-faith effort to balance the needs of both tenants and landlords and ensure a fair and inclusive housing market; and

WHEREAS, after passage of Ordinance No. 231019, 2...

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