How can the City further encourage smaller-scale, incremental redevelopment in our neighborhoods?

We can raise small-scale developers within the city by creating a program for them and repairing the policies and procedures that prevent many common people from developing their own neighborhoods. A vision surrounding these practices, which involves the neighborhood associations and community members, is necessary. I also think programming that offers incentives, structure, and protections around landowners creating accessory units and investing in duplex/triplex properties is important. It is great to have multiunit developments, but I think we can do more in a shorter period of time by working together and supporting the small businesses that are local landlords and small developers.

In the 1940 city limits, we have half the population we used to have. Do you believe repopulating the urban core is a critical priority?

If we are not providing opportunities for people in the immediate urban areas, supporting small businesses, developing more housing, addressing violence issues, creating expanded access to health care, and making places feel safe and walkable – no, it is not a priority. It would only work to exacerbate the issues we are currently facing. However, addressing these issues holistically will attract more people back to the urban core. It will be an effect of the work we do to uplift the community that is currently here.

Many developers planning to offer affordable housing are experiencing financial gaps in their capital stack, hindering their ability to proceed with construction. Kansas City has built the Affordable Housing Trust Fund to help close this gap. Does the fund adequately address developers’ concerns? If not, how would you address this issue?

Considering the processes that many must go through in order to develop – I do not think the Affordable Housing Trust Fund adequately addresses these financial gaps. If we can save developers time, the time period between idea conception and ROI is shortened thus saving the developer money and making for better business practices. Also – everything called affordable housing is not. We need to address workforce housing and present initiatives toward this as well. Most of the affordable housing proposals are mixed-income projects.

How do you believe the affordable housing set-aside standards have impacted new housing development? How would you increase affordable housing in Kansas City?

I do not think that the affordable housing set-aside standards have impacted new housing development here as much as the arduous permitting processes, fighting between organizations and the city, and somewhat ignoring smaller developers has. The city is driving developers and investors away.

Transit-oriented community (TOC) projects create compact, walkable, pedestrian-oriented, mixed-use communities centered around high-quality transit systems. This development approach alleviates concerns your constituents may have about accessing services and the cost of living. How would you promote and support providing transit-oriented community developments to Kansas City residents?

Considering Kansas City has free transit – creating safety and increasing/expanding public transit is crucial. At this time KCATA workers are having issues with bus patrons and are seeing little to no relief. So some form of enforcement, safety, more benches etc., at parking spots is important for not only the drivers to feel safe but also for passengers to make the leap to truly rely on public transit rather than it just being an option. We have to change KC culture to reflect more of a public transit-driven culture. We are now greatly dependent on our individual vehicles. Some of this is because people work a considerable distance from their homes. Attracting more businesses and supporting them in the city will be huge for this.

Crime is affecting Kansas City’s reputation on a national scale. While violent crime makes the headlines, an increase in property crime is impacting our residents and businesses. What are some specific and measurable ways with which you would address crime? (We are looking for your concrete ideas, not general positions on funding or philosophy.)

We have to address emotional intelligence and trauma. This being said – as a mental health advocate looking at mental health from the standpoint of social determinants. Increasing funding towards job programs, small businesses, and training. Expanded health care with greater access and multiple
clinical and non-clinical modalities. Blight Remediation and programs to beautify and repair resident properties. Improved community engagement and visibility – communities with visible community members drive crime down. Improved availability for affordable and workforce housing.

If elected, what issue will define your term?

Anti-violence efforts through mental health advocacy and policy expansion will define my term. Again – I approach mental health with non-clinical, practical measures and efforts. Some of this will be addressed through housing, jobs, opportunities, and access to multiple types of support.