Landbank KCMO Works to Revitalize Neighborhoods

Landbank KCMO is working hard to revitalize neighborhoods in Kansas City. They're doing this by acquiring vacant and abandoned properties, which can be a real eyesore and a safety concern.

In 2019, Landbank KCMO acquired over 1,300 properties, many of which were in disrepair. They're taking a proactive approach to address the issue of blight in our city.

By acquiring these properties, Landbank KCMO is able to stabilize neighborhoods and create opportunities for new development. This can include renovating homes for sale or rent, or tearing down properties that are beyond repair.

A different take: Landbank Properties

The Kansas City Land Bank has been making headlines for all the wrong reasons. Its goal is to create more homes and community spaces by selling vacant, tax-delinquent properties, but a recent investigation revealed potential conflicts of interest and a lack of accountability.

The Land Bank's leadership has been a point of contention, with Attorney Julie Anderson being replaced by LaDonna Gooden due to concerns over her role as an eviction attorney undermining her ability to lead an organization focused on affordable housing solutions.

Some properties sit vacant for years, with the Land Bank failing to hold buyers accountable to its own requirements. This has led to concerns over the effectiveness of the Land Bank in revitalizing neighborhoods.

The Kansas City Land Bank is a unique organization that plays a crucial role in revitalizing neighborhoods and promoting community development. It was created in 2011 to address the city's vacant and abandoned properties.

The Land Bank is a public entity that acquires, holds, and disposes of properties that have been abandoned or foreclosed upon. It works closely with local government agencies, non-profits, and community organizations to achieve its goals.

The Land Bank's primary objective is to return vacant properties to productive use, whether through renovation, new construction, or resale. This helps to stabilize neighborhoods, increase property values, and provide affordable housing options for residents.

The Land Bank has a vast inventory of properties, with over 3,000 parcels of land in its portfolio. These properties are often sold to developers, non-profits, or individuals who commit to rehabilitating them.

The Land Bank's efforts have yielded impressive results, with over 1,000 properties renovated or redeveloped since its inception. This has not only improved the physical appearance of neighborhoods but also boosted local economies.

The Kansas City Land Bank is a unique organization that helps revitalize neighborhoods by acquiring and rehabilitating vacant and abandoned properties. It's a game-changer for communities in need of revitalization.

The Land Bank acquires properties through donation, tax foreclosure, or purchase from willing sellers. This allows them to take control of properties that might otherwise continue to languish and become eyesores.

The Land Bank has a robust process for evaluating properties and determining their potential for rehabilitation. They assess factors such as the property's condition, location, and potential for resale or rental.

Their goal is to sell or rent these properties to individuals or organizations that will put them to good use, creating a positive impact on the community. This can include homeowners, renters, or even businesses looking to set up shop in a newly revitalized area.

The Land Bank works closely with local government agencies, non-profits, and community groups to ensure that their efforts align with the needs and goals of the community. This collaborative approach helps to build trust and ensures that the Land Bank is making a meaningful difference.

Kansas City Land Bank has a chair named Julie Anderson, who has been on the board since 2016. She was appointed by former mayor Sly James.

Anderson is a well-known attorney in Kansas City, particularly when it comes to eviction proceedings. Her law firm, Anderson & Associates, said on its website that it is “one of the largest filers of residential and commercial eviction cases in the Kansas City metropolitan area.”

In 2017 and 2018, Anderson represented Bowlin's LLC, DC Capital and Investments, in court 11 times on eviction proceedings for other properties he owned or managed in Kansas City. The first case she represented him in was filed in 2017, shortly after he bought the Land Bank properties.

A search on Casenet revealed this information, and it's worth noting that Land banks in the area have faced conflict of interest violations before. In 2000, state auditor Claire McCaskill released an audit of the Land Trust of Jackson County that found multiple issues, including selling two properties to a Land Trust employee’s spouse without undergoing the normal review process.

City Auditor Douglas Jones said he doesn't know if Anderson's connection to Bowlin would constitute a conflict of interest, but it's something that could be submitted to the ethics committee for review.

The Neighborhood Legal Services team plays a vital role in facilitating the efficient delivery of City services to Kansas City residents. They provide transactional legal services to the Neighborhood Services and Housing and Community Development departments.

Neighborhood Legal Services has implemented the sale of 40 Land Bank and Kansas City Missouri Homesteading Authority properties, resulting in $112,808 in cash sales and deeds of trust agreements, and securing $888,685 in improvements to properties in historically underdeveloped corridors and neighborhoods.

The team drafted, reviewed, and recorded 203 subordination, assumption, and release agreements for previously sold properties to further facilitate neighborhood development.

Assistance was also provided to the City Manager and City Council on complex legal issues surrounding houselessness and civil rights. This included drafting an encampments removal policy and proposing revisions to City Code concerning tenting/camping and loitering.

The team assisted the Revenue Division in collecting $24,220 in payments for special tax assessments and secured judgments for payment of special tax assessments totaling $88,066.

The city of Kansas City, Missouri, is addressing homelessness with a $1 land bank program. City Manager Brian Platt announced that the city will sell land bank properties to local nonprofits, faith-based organizations, and individuals for $1.

These properties will then need to be renovated to provide housing for people in need. The Kansas City Neighborhood Housing Services Association will hold a virtual and in-person meeting to gather input on the program, which will take place on April 1 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

The city is also working to build hundreds of affordable housing units and has introduced an ordinance to create a standalone housing department.

Mayor Quinton Lucas and city council members introduced an ordinance to create a standalone housing department to address homelessness in Kansas City, Missouri.

The city is taking proactive steps to address homelessness, with no waiting for next winter to step up and make changes.

Funding for the office of the tenant advocate will be fully funded in the proposed city budget, a push from local advocacy group KC Tenants.

KC Tenants had been advocating for fully funded tenant advocate office for some time, showing up to a budget input meeting last month.

City Manager Brian Platt announced the city will sell land bank properties to local nonprofits, faith-based organizations, and individuals for $1 to provide housing to people in need.

A virtual and in-person meeting will be held on April 1 for people to give input on the $1 program, organized by the Kansas City Neighborhood Housing Services Association.

The city is working to build hundreds of affordable housing units, a key part of addressing homelessness.

The Homelessness Program in KCMO offers a comprehensive approach to addressing homelessness, with a focus on providing essential services to those in need.

The program is led by a coalition of local organizations, including the City of KCMO, the United Way, and the Salvation Army.

Each participant in the program receives a customized plan to help them achieve stability and self-sufficiency.

This plan includes access to housing, employment services, and healthcare, as well as counseling and case management.

The program has already shown promising results, with a significant decrease in homelessness among veterans.

In fact, the program has helped over 1,000 veterans find permanent housing and get back on their feet.

Additionally, the program provides emergency financial assistance to help individuals and families stay in their homes.

This assistance can be used for rent, utilities, and other essential expenses.

By providing a comprehensive range of services, the Homelessness Program in KCMO is making a real difference in the lives of those struggling with homelessness.

Tax-delinquent properties in Kansas City offer cheap real estate options, but they often come with a catch.

Bowlin bought 43 properties from the Land Bank for $75 each, totaling $3,225.

He signed an agreement to build on vacant lots, renovate or repair buildings within 180 days.

However, more than half of Bowlin's properties have had at least one property violation since he purchased them.

Many of these violations resulted in a summons to municipal housing court, with 70 cases opened against Bowlin since late 2017.

Out of those cases, 30 are still active, and another 37 have warrants for failure to appear in court.

Combined, Bowlin's vacant properties would have a total estimated value of $1,822,100 once development was completed.

The Land Bank also owns several properties with buildings classified as "dangerous" by the city, but these properties are not currently listed in the Land Bank's inventory.

Bowlin's Involvement is a crucial aspect of the LandBank KCMO story. LandBank's CEO, Brian Shields, was a former employee of the city's finance department, where he worked under Mayor Sly James' administration.

Bowlin's experience in the city's finance department likely influenced his approach to leading LandBank. Under his leadership, LandBank acquired nearly 1,000 tax-delinquent properties.

Bowlin's tenure at LandBank also saw the creation of a new program aimed at helping low-income homeowners. The program, called "LandBank's Homeownership Program", provided financial assistance to families who wanted to buy and renovate homes.

Bowlin's vision for LandBank was to use its resources to revitalize neighborhoods and create affordable housing options. He believed that by doing so, LandBank could help stabilize communities and improve the overall quality of life for KCMO residents.

Bowlin's leadership at LandBank was marked by a commitment to transparency and community engagement. He regularly met with community leaders and residents to discuss LandBank's plans and goals.