johnmatrix wrote: ↑Thu Apr 04, 2019 11:26 am
Does anyone think Lucas's ideas regarding affordable housing are realistic or just trying to get votes?
https://quintonlucas.org/blog/2018/11/2 ... ber-update
1. No longer will $2,000 be considered “affordable housing” in Kansas City. I’ve cut that number by more than half.
2. It’s time city government lend a hand towards progress. Permits from the city will be on a less-than-60 day timeline.
3. Affordable housing near public transportation lines will receive additional incentives – so we can fight emissions and promote inclusive communities development.
4. Establish the Housing Trust Fund. This will bring millions of dollars to see that initiatives are brought forward and completed.
1. This one is the hardest one. $1000 per month is below what it costs to build new.
2. This one is doable as long as the input is good and there's an effort to reduce an existing backlog. A process where an application isn't accepted without items X, Y, Z and then there's a good procedure for approval is what's needed. If it's realistic depends on who is managing the process and if there's an incentive for them to make it work.
3. This one is absolutely doable. The bonus model for certain actions is a good one.
4. The idea is valid, the implementation will matter. This one depends on where the money is coming from.
And don't take my word for it. Items 2 and 4 have already been implemented. So he's not waiting to make some of these changes.
https://www.kcur.org/post/first-big-dea ... d#stream/0
So what's newer?
https://www.kshb.com/news/kcmomayor/cof ... nton-lucas
If elected mayor, his next step would be identifying funding for the affordable housing trust fund. Lucas would use the $8 million in federal funds the city receives annually in connection to housing policy, plus the one-eighth cent sales tax for east side revitalization.
That he's starting with existing funding is a great first step towards it being realistic. So many projects begin with "let's implement a new tax" and then gets hung up waiting several years on this piece. I would like to see more about what he thinks should be done with the money. Like what incentives should look like and how to have a real impact. Should there be a focus part of town and think big in it or try to support the best projects across the city?