The Housing

EQUITY

Project

United Community Services

of Johnson County

Housing is a priority health equity issue.
The Housing Equity Project is a collaborative project between Johnson County, the cities, and the Johnson County Health Equity Network, a multi-sector collaborative convened by UCS of Johnson County, to improve housing affordability and choice for all. 

Task Force Members

Thank for you agreeing to take on this challenge, together.  Please use this webpage to prepare for meetings and keep the conversation going.  Please read the articles below and answer the corresponding questions.

Get Prepared

Housing Equity Learning Network

EnRICHLY is proud to work with the UCS Health Equity Network to launch the very first Housing Equity Learning Network.  The goal is to share insight, collaborate and learn strategies to address disparities in health outcomes, starting with housing.  Log on to EnRICHLY and find the brand new movement, Housing Equity. 

Step 1: Read the Articles Below

The below articles will provide context for our meetings and continued conversations.
1.) FORBES: Affordable Housing is Doable for Builders and Buyers, but Here's the Problem
This article explores what is needed to create affordable housing that is attainable for households with incomes between 80 and 120 percent of the area median income.
2.) THE URBANIST: How to Talk to Your NIMBY Parents
This article delves into the differences between NIMBY and YIMBY, seeking the different ways to listen to NIMBY arguments in order to understand the deeper reasons for resisting.
3.) WASHINGTON POST: Cities turn to 'missing middle' housing to keep older millennials from leaving
The article shares how many millennials have helped rejuvenate Downtowns and spearheaded the trend of greater walkability, but as lifestyles grow and change, many find that the accommodations they had as young professionals are no longer practical or affordable. The 'missing middle' refers to housing that serves a variety of lifestyle situations by creating different housing options for each season of life.
4.) HOUSING MATTERS: Can Transit-Oriented Affordable Housing Boost Economic Mobility and Minimize Displacement
This article explores what is needed to create affordable housing that is attainable for households with incomes between 80 and 120 percent of the area median income.
5.) Location! Location! Location!
Interpretive: Do we see examples of residential segregation in Johnson County? If so, where? Are there “micro-secessions” we can identify that have happened or are happening in Johnson County, as it relates to housing?
6.) Dividing Lines Tour
What are some things about the history of segregation in Kansas City you learned from this experience? How did this experience make you feel about our history and how it relates to your work? Do you think this experience would benefit others? In what ways?
7.) VIDEO: Where you Live Matters: One County’s History of Housing, Race & Health
Johnson County, Kansas, has a unique history of housing, race and health, because of it's proximity to Kansas City.  Hear the story of this midwestern county from county historians and the County's Department of Health & Environment.  This is not only a story of the past, but the future.  Hear how this County is taking action to address disparities and create both health and housing Equity.

Step 2: Answer the Questions Below

Let's have a productive conversation. Your input matters. Throughout this project responses will be monitored and new questions added from time to time.

Housing for All

  • Affordable
  • Safe neighborhoods
  • Close to work

Mayors from across Johnson County are coming together to address key priorities in Housing.  

  • DeSoto
  • Edgerton
  • Fairway
  • Gardner
  • Lake Quivira
  • Leawood
  • Lenexa
  • Merriam
  • Mission
  • Mission Hills
  • Mission Woods
  • Olathe
  • Overland Park
  • Prairie Village
  • Roeland Park
  • Shawnee
  • Spring Hill
  • Westwood
  • Westwood Hills

reMOVE

THE BARriers

Amy Falk
Amy Falk
CEO, Health Partnership Clinic
Read More
“The patients that we see often struggle with... a choice between housing, taking their medicine or going to the physician's office.”
Michelle Hogerty
Michelle Hogerty
COO, United Way Greater Kansas City
Read More
“One of the building blocks of our mission at the United Way of Greater Kansas City is to improve health outcomes. The work is important because we know there are great disparities in health outcomes for people based on where they live.”
Tom Herzog
Tom Herzog
COO, Netsmart
Read More
"At the core of community is housing. There should be an opportunity and place for all generations to reside, which meets their needs. Our input is needed now."

Get
Involved

If you’re interested in getting involved, and want to chat with project leaders directly, drop us a note.  Contact information is also available at the bottom of this page.

For more information

KristyB@ucsjoco.org
ErinD@shockeyconsulting.com

Get Involved