KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Kansas City Council members are expected to vote on an ordinance that would require any housing developer receiving tax incentives from the city to reserve a portion of their units for affordable housing.
The proposal comes from Councilmember Melissa Robinson, who said everyone is going to have to make a sacrifice to address the issue of affordable housing in the city.
"If we're going to share financial resources with developers, there has to be a community benefit that benefits the entire community," Robinson said.
The proposal uses HUD's median family income estimates as a guide. In the Kansas City metro, it's rounded to $86,000.
The proposed ordinance says 20 percent of units would have to be set aside for affordable housing and of that, 10 percent would be set aside for families earning 70 percent of that income. The other half would go to families earning only 30 percent.
Several letters were submitted in public testimony in support and opposition of the ordinance.
Two letters opposing the legislation argue it would have a negative effect on development.
For instance, one part of a letter written by William Crandall from CBC Real Estate Group said the ordinance "will result in less economic recruitment, reduced housing opportunities and reduced jobs for the minority and women-owned business community."
