Eviction prevention programs and rehousing in Kansas City.
The greater Kansas City Missouri area is served by several Homeless Re-Housing programs. These services can both help prevent an eviction from occurring and place families into new, permanent housing. Non-profits focus on both homeless and at-risk households in the region.
There are multiple components to the programs, as follows. They support residents of both Wyandotte County and Kansas City. More details on each of them are below.
- Case management - Each low income family or tenant threatened with an eviction will meet with a specialist to review their needs and set long term goals.
- Federal government grants for rent assistance – The program works with families that are close to, or that have an eviction notice. The money is used to prevent homelessness.
- Homeless Re-Housing – The client will get support in quickly moving into sustainable housing in Kansas City Missouri.
- Utility bill assistance – Some funds from HUD, such as ESG, can help pay heating, electric, or water bills that if left unpaid could cause homelessness.
- Free legal services – Lawyers across Kansas City will help indigent tenants, at no cost to them, in court eviction cases.
More information on each of these is below. It is always important to note that all resources are limited. The demand for housing assistance, grants, and other support is very high, and most assistance is provided on a first come and served basis until the money runs out.
Also, when seeking eviction or rehousing assistance, the applicant needs proof of residency in Kansas City or Wyandotte County. They also need proof of income (whether from a job or public aid), copies of information for all family members, details on what actions they are taking to address their living conditions, and more.
Financial help to stop an eviction – This may be government be Housing and Urban Development Emergency Solutions Grants. Or in some cases an agency will have another source of funding.
When qualified, and when funding is available there may be assistance for paying rent or utility bills. There may be funding to also get utilities re-connected if services have already been shut off. Rent help is for preventing evictions and keeping families stable.
The fact is Kansas City residents need a home to live in. This program will allow them to stay safe and live as a family unit. Utilities are also critical as individuals (especially seniors and the disabled) need to stay warm in the winter and cool in the sometimes hot Missouri summer.
Stability and Case Management – Housing counselors will meet with a client. Not only will goals be set, but the case managers will also contact utility and/or landlords. They try to find some type of solution other than eviction or a disconnection of their power.
The Homeless can seek Re-Housing – After the client has been stabilized, then this component may start up. However, before rehousing can occur, the Kansas City client needs a source of income, some type of credit rating, and just be able to prove stability.
The process involved will help the homeless find and move into a new home. It may be an apartment or public housing site. If there is no lodging available, then short term motel vouchers may be used. The goal is to get the family off the streets or out of a Wyandotte County shelter.
Crisis intervention – This involved mostly non-monetary support as a form of eviction assistance. What may be offered includes mediation services from attorneys and referrals to public assistance. In rare cases some of this is combined with short term rent subsides for tenants that have received eviction and utility termination notices.
Find and apply for homeless prevention in KC
Any resources for eviction prevention or rehousing available in Kansas City, whether from those programs or another agency, are prioritized for residents that can achieve and also maintain stable housing. So for those people seeking temporary assistance, they should have a plan in place. For more details or referrals, call 211 for referrals.
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