Affordable Housing: Making the Numbers Work

There is agreement that Kansas City is generally an affordable place to live – however, it is short on affordably priced properties vis-à-vis the need. How are the tax credits, zoning and development policies that are being put in place addressing social needs? Is it possible – or even reasonable – to attract prospective owners and tenants from varying socio-economic segments to the same neighborhoods? Join American Public Square to break down the numbers around the need for, economics and social dynamics of affordable housing.

Panelists

Dr. Amy Hartsfield, a Certified Myers-Briggs Type Inventory (MBTI) Administrator and Interpreter and a consultant for various educational, church and civic organizations. She has been employed by the Georgia Department of Mental Health as an Intake Counselor, the Interdenominational Theological Center as the Chaplain/Counselor. Most recently, from May 2008 until July 31, 2019, Dr Hartsfield served at Central Baptist Theological Seminary as the Counselor and Assessment Consultant.In April of 2014, she was elected to the Kansas City School District Board of Directors serving until April 2019 as an At-Large member. An ordained Baptist Minister, Reverend Hartsfield is a member of the Metropolitan Missionary Baptist Church, where her husband, Reverend Dr. Wallace S. Hartsfield, II is the senior paster. They are the proud parents of two adult children-Romney (Zachary) and Ryan, three wonderful grandchildren, Zeke, Zara and Zene and two precious Pomeranians – Klaude and Kleo. Dr. Hartsfield earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Biology from Barnard College in New York City. She is a graduate of Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta, earning two degrees: A Master of Divinity, concentrating in Psychology of Religion/ Pastoral Care and a Doctor of Theology in Pastoral Counseling.

Doug M. Price, an owner of Price Brothers, a third-generation builder, owner and operator of office and retail mixed-use developments throughout the metropolitan region. Established in 1922, the company has grown into one of the area’s largest owners and operators of commercial real estate. Price Brothers has carried out its founding philosophy for nearly 100 years – serve your customers, nurture your employees and provide quality living and working places.Price has guided the growth of the organization since he joined the business in 1980. Active in the business and civic communities for more than 30 years, Price was a founder of Heartland Apartment Association where he served as president and has been on the board for the majority of his professional career. His investment in youth education includes service as a board of trustee member for Barstow School, of which he is a graduate; involvement in the Shawnee Mission and Blue Valley schools; and support of many other childhood development organizations. Price is 2017 Kauffman Distinguished Eagle Scout Class, named in honor of former Kansas City Royals owner, Ewing M. Kauffman, it recognizes adult Eagle Scouts for their positive contributions to the Kansas City community.A native of Kansas City, Price received a Bachelor’s degree from Pitzer College, Claremont, California.

Jennifer Tidwell, joined Kansas City, Missouri Neighborhoods and Housing Services Department in June of 2017 as the Section Manager. Ms. Tidwell currently serves as the Division Manager of Housing. From November 2013 to January 2017, Jennifer Tidwell was the Regional Administrator for Region VII at the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). During her tenure at HUD, Ms. Tidwell supervised the states of Missouri, Kansas, Iowa and Nebraska. She led a number of initiatives which included Strong Cities, Strong Communities, two Choice Neighborhood communities, Jobs Plus, a digital divide initiative for public housing residents named Connect HOME and a Disaster Resiliency Grant for the State of Iowa and City of Dubuque that will change the landscape of many of the small communities experiencing flood disasters. In addition, Ms. Tidwell managed a number of community needs assessment for a number of cities; and spearheaded veterans’ initiatives and homeless programs across the region. Prior to HUD, Ms. Tidwell was employed by the Missouri Housing Development Commission as the Deputy Director of Public Policy. In her position at MHDC, she led the Tax Credit Administration Department and the Government Affairs/Budget Division. Ms. Tidwell collaborated with agencies and cities across Missouri to create the MBE/WBE Initiative and strengthen the Section 3 Program. During her previous employment with MHDC, she worked with stakeholders to assist in the passage of the Housing Trust Fund and a number of legislative accomplishments regarding housing tax credits and tax increment financing across Missouri. In 2001, Jennifer was appointed by the Governor of Missouri to serve as one of the three commissioners on the Missouri Tax Commission, supervising 115 county assessors regarding property taxes. The Missouri Tax Commission has supervisory authority over the state’s utility, telecommunications, electric, pipelines, and railroad companies.

Brennan Crawford, Has served as Community Housing of Wyandotte County’s Executive Director and CEO since 2016.  He previously worked in housing, economic and workforce development and social enterprise in the government, nonprofit and for-profit sectors in the KC Metro and New Orleans.

Moderator

Colleen Hernandez, is a Kansas City native who has worked locally and nationally in many facets of affordable housing.In the 80’s and 90’s she developed rental housing for low income families through the nonprofit Kansas City neighborhood Alliance. From 2006 to 2014 she worked with the Bush and Obama White Houses during the housing crises to help keep millions of families from losing their homes. She served as the CEO of the Homeownership Preservation Foundation which oversaw the Hope hotline. Colleen has seen the breadth and depth of our housing issues. Currently, Colleen works with the Urban Neighborhood Initiative to help private rehabbers produce and sell affordable single–family homes. In addition, she supports the new KC Tenants organization in giving a voice to those families most in need of affordable housing.

Roving Reporter

Eric Nelson, Kansas City Star