Covenant of Racial Reconciliation for the Housing Domain

Whereas as members of the housing community, as US citizens, and as Greater Kansas City residents – we mourn the current state of race relations and lament we have not led in addressing racial issues. The fruits of our present grew from the roots of our past and these realities cannot be ignored nor dismissed. Yet neither should they stop us from moving to higher ground.

Whereas legal structures around housing and urban development were historically a key racial discrimination instrument including redlining, restrictive covenants, and more, segregating minorities in pockets of Kansas City, which then served as a model for discrimination across the United States.

Whereas this segregation then catalyzed decades of trickle-down discrimination from low homeownership, the low tax base for education, access to healthcare, urban blight, local businesses, and more.

Now, therefore, by my signature, I commit to labor for substantive change that will bring healing, peace, true community, and justice for all who call Kansas City home by:

• Educating our community on the history of racial dividing lines in Kansas City that were created by red-lining, restrictive covenants, blockbusting, and other means to divide the city.
• Minority participation in and leadership of the housing industry through minority mentorship programs with real estate developers, training programs for craftsmen in the construction trade (i.e. electricians, carpenters, and plumbers), and developing those men and women demonstrating potential with the goal of advancing into leadership roles.
• Improve Housing Situations – recognizing that each person has unique circumstances and connect them with the necessary resources to improve their current housing situation through:
  • financial literacy program for low-income families,
  • homeownership opportunities for those that demonstrate accountability and performance to ensure everyone willing and able can realize the dream of homeownership.
  • grants and subsidies to make a home energy efficient.
  • targeted development and investments in underserved communities.

I commit to this Covenant of Reconciliation for the sake of my life, my organization, my fellow employees, and the Greater Kansas City community and to take a practical step in the Suggested Actions to make it real. When this journey becomes difficult, I commit to enduring through challenging days.

Pick One Good Thing & Get Started!

Education and Personal Transformation

Dividing Lines – A History of Segregation in Kansas City

• VoiceMap driving tour
• Journey through the history of segregation in the Kansas City metro, primarily through its real estate. The tour is designed so that you can safely drive through the city at your own pace while hearing stories about each area you travel through in Kansas City.

Curated Opportunities

CoBuild and Emerging Builders of Kansas City

CoBuild, LLC is a social enterprise that focuses on design + build construction of affordable housing in Kansas City, MO. Each CoBuild project provides a hands-on training experience for high school students on their way towards business ownership. Emerging Builders is their sister 501(c)3 that hosts a 10-week apprenticeship program for women and minorities to train them in construction trades.

• Financial support to sponsor an apprentice for a 10-week program
• Guest lecture for life and leadership training
• Hire a graduate for an entry-level position in construction trades
• Hire CoBuild for a construction project at your business or home
• Volunteer to teach a skilled trade

Contact: Yahna Gibson – yahna@emerging-builders.org or tate@cobuildkc.com

Habitat for Humanity of Kansas City

Habitat for Humanity of Kansas City builds strength, stability, and self-reliance through shelter for families in the Kansas City community. Through our Affordable Housing Program, H.O.P.E financial coaching, and Home Preservation Program, we help hundreds of families every year achieve the dream of homeownership. Since 1979 we have built or renovated more than 800 homes in Wyandotte, Leavenworth, and Johnson counties in Kansas, and Clay, Platte, and Jackson counties in Missouri. In addition to providing affordable housing, Habitat KC has helped thousands of families through our financial literacy and HOPE program.

Habitat of Kansas City builds strong and stable neighborhoods by building strong and stable homes. We believe that to break the cycle of poverty, low and medium-income families need their income spent on housing to serve two purposes: provide a decent, affordable place to raise a family and build wealth through homeownership.

• Group Opportunities – Bring your company, team, organization, or school together to support affordable homeownership. No experience necessary. We’ll give you the tools and skills you need to make a difference!
• Donate to Habitat ReStore – new and gently used appliances, household furniture, and residential building supplies
• Volunteer at Re-Store
• Volunteer at the construction site

Contact: Pat Turner – President and CEO – pturner@habitatkc.org

Hillcrest Transitional Housing

Hillcrest provides transitional housing and other programs that combat homelessness by building the self-sufficiency of families. Hillcrest serves youth, individuals, and families throughout the greater Kansas City region through its five residential sites in Johnson and Wyandotte Counties in Kansas and Jackson County in Missouri. Hillcrest also provides rapid re-housing services in Kansas City’s Northland and in Northwest Missouri.

Hillcrest’s flagship program is a 90-day timeframe in which clients receive rent- and utility-free housing. In exchange for housing, clients agree to follow program guidelines, find and maintain full-time employment, attend life skills classes, participate in community living, and follow a budget plan.

• Sponsor an Apartment-Commit to sponsor a Hillcrest Apartment for a year
• Thrift Store Volunteer -Volunteer at one of the Hillcrest stores
• Host a Supplies Drive- Food, paper goods, personal care, and cleaning supplies for residents
• Life Skills Speaker or Mentorship-Teach a one-hour life skills class, such as parenting, cooking.
• Community Gardens Volunteer -Seasonal help is needed for planting and maintenance
• Provide a Service – Families in need of a service such as haircuts, eye/dental exams, auto repairs
• Team Work Day – Group Volunteering such as property maintenance and landscaping

Contact: Cotton Sivils – Vice President of Development – sivilsc@hillcrestkc.org

Urban Neighborhood Initiative (UNI)

The mission of the Urban Neighborhood Initiative (UNI) is to break the intergenerational cycle of poverty and historical racial inequities caused by decades of neglect and systemic racism by helping to build healthy neighborhoods that enable all children and families to thrive.

The Urban Neighborhood Initiative (UNI) evolved as one of the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce’s “Big 5” initiatives and from work of United Way of Greater Kansas City, becoming an independent 501c3 in 2012 and established as a Community Development Corporation (CDC) in 2016. We were established to ensure that all families can live in an environment of over-all health and safety, where communities are strong, children learn and play, families live in quality housing, and parents work in a stable job

• Volunteer to help in neighborhood improvement and to strengthen neighborhood restoration and redevelopment of housing and grounds (steps and sidewalks, for example) and infrastructure (such as curbing and street lighting)
• Volunteer to mentor or teach to prepare young people for college and careers.
• Volunteer to teach or mentor community organizations and schools to support school readiness and early learning
• Provide greater access to technology through the donation of computer equipment
• Volunteer to help in Urban farming
• Contribute funds or goods to a supported housing property and neighborhood

Contact: Dianne Cleaver – President and CEO – dcleaver@uni-kc.org

The Greenline Initiative is a social enterprise that renovates blighted homes in the urban core and owner finances the sale directly to community members via crowdfunding. The mission is to increase Black generational wealth through real property ownership and investment. Their model allows for homeownership in formerly redlined communities that have been historically underserved by financial institutions.

https://www.thegreenlineinitiative.com

• Donate an Eastside KC property
• Sponsor an apartment for a neighbor in distress
• Sponsor home purchase down payment assistance
• Sponsor appliances for a new homeowner
• Sponsor an individual renovation project

Contact: Ajia Morris | CEO and Co-founder – ajia@thegreenlineinitiative.com

Meet the Voices behind this Domain

Housing Domain Voices

Rick Butterfield - Domain Leader

Senior VP, PNC Real Estate

Ajia Morris

Bill Snooks

Brett Hart

CEO, Clear Title

Cotton Sivils

Dederick Kelly

Diane Cleaver

Ebonie Davis

Attorney/Associate, Armstrong Teasdale Real Estate

Jeremy Davis

Vice President, Midland Loan Services

JR Buckner

President and CEO, First Federal Bank of Kansas City

Keith Fenwick

Vice President, First Federal Bank of Kansas City

Micheal Wilson

Pat Turner

Pierre Burris

Rick Krapes

Steve Weatherford

Tarold Davis

Development Manager, Fulson Housing Group

Thomas Anderson

Yahna Gibson

Executive Director, Emerging Builders