KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Kansas City, Missouri, is celebrating the one-year anniversary of its Healthy Homes Rental Inspection Program.
During the first year, the city's Health Department, which employs three Healthy Homes inspectors and is in the process of hiring three more, received 829 complaints. Here were the most common:
- 367 water/wasterwater
- 336 ventilation/mold
- 195 pests
- 160 structural
- 5. electrical
- 65 restroom
- 45 heating
- 37 life safety
- 35 lead
- 29 kitchen
The inspectors "bring these stories, these pictures, they are horrifying," Nasar Jouhari, the environmental health division manager for the KCMO Health Department. "Sometimes, you don't believe that these houses are in your neighborhood."
The initial goal was to get 80% of the residential rental units in Kansas City in compliance within three years.
The city said it's already achieved 92% compliance.
Landords foot the bill for the program, paying a one-time $20 application fee plus a $20 annual fee per unit.
"These are on the same block you live in," Jouhari said. "This is a house down the street from where you live. If someone has an issue, we encourage them to contact us."
To report a complaint at a rental residential property in Kansas City, call 311 or the KCMO Health Department.
