Housing and Neighborhoods Topic

Housing, the most essential need for citizens, is a core component of any city. In Kansas City, there are rural neighborhoods, areas with low-density single-family housing, dense urban development, and variations in between. It’s critical that the city’s housing and neighborhood initiatives accommodate a variety of housing types (single family, multi-family, apartments, etc.), and affordability in rent and property value. Housing policies should help ensure equitable access to housing choice, desirable neighborhoods, employment opportunities, and transportation options. By considering these factors, Kansas City will be able to provide adequate housing to people of all income levels, races, and ages in a way that strengthens the community fabric of all regions in the city. 

Neighborhoods form the physical and social framework of the entire city, and the overall success of the city is linked to the livability of each neighborhood. The city's unique, desirable, accessible neighborhoods are perhaps the biggest reason for the excellent quality of life Kansas City is known for. The value of successful neighborhoods has been understood since before the adoption of FOCUS, the previous comprehensive plan. FOCUS stated, “In order for Kansas City to be the successful New American City, neighborhoods must be livable. Livable neighborhoods connect people physically and socially. They have an identity based on physical character, people, history, or resident involvement. They meet the housing needs and desires of people. And they are healthy in terms of housing conditions, neighborhood cleanliness, and the health of the people who live in them. Neighborhood identity, connectedness, health, and meeting the housing needs of all are essential to building the New American City.”  

Recognizing that some neighborhoods historically have experienced disinvestment and abandonment, this plan must work to eliminate those practices, mitigate past inequities, and prevent future inequities. The Playbook provides strategies to strengthen and revitalize distressed and abandoned neighborhoods, while preventing displacement of residents as reinvestment occurs.

To be successful, Kansas City’s neighborhoods must meet the housing needs of the diverse people and families that live in them. To do so requires equitable access to affordable, safe, and sustainable housing. Stable housing creates and reinforces strong, enduring neighborhoods and communities, which benefits the city overall. Residents in these neighborhoods also must be able to meet their daily needs near their homes, which means neighborhoods need to provide access to job opportunities, schools, health care, shopping, food access, and recreation, resulting in a complete community.

The city must continue to build community capacity and strengthen its partnerships with community leaders to solve problems and improve neighborhoods. The city must ensure new development reinforces and enhances existing and desired neighborhood character. Lastly, the city must balance future infill development and investment in existing neighborhoods with outward growth.

Strong and desirable neighborhoods need high-quality infrastructure and city services, enhancements to neighborhood identity, access to public amenities, well-maintained homes and properties, and a safe environment. Investment and attention toward each of these will further solidify Kansas City as a high-quality, engaging, safe, and desirable city.


RELATIONSHIP TO VISION STATEMENTS

The Playbook has fifteen Vision Statements for Kansas City. The Playbook’s Vision describes what we want to be and outlines how we want our city to develop in the future, in line with community values and priorities. Those that are closely related to the Housing and Neighborhoods Topic are highlighted in grey below:

Affordable Community: We will create and nurture an affordable community and strive for abundant opportunity and employment at a livable wage for our residents.
Cultural Amenities: Our diverse cultural amenities, parks, and open spaces will provide a rich variety of experiences and vibrant environments.
Desirable Place: Our community will attract people and employers through being a desirable place to earn, learn, live, and thrive.
Equitable and Fiscally Sustainable: Our capital investments and growth will be equitable while maintaining the fiscal sustainability of the city.
Healthy Environmental Systems: We will promote and value the health of our environmental and natural systems and protect them from degradation.
History and Heritage: We will preserve places that celebrate all facets of Kansas City’s history and cultural heritage..
Innovation and Creativity: We will cultivate innovation and creativity in our governance, business, and educational practices related to smart city technology and physical development.
KC Uniqueness: We will preserve and enhance those things that make Kansas City unique – the small town feel with big city amenities and the wide range of diverse environments and neighborhoods.
Livable Neighborhoods and Diverse Housing: Our neighborhoods will be strong, livable, and authentic while ensuring diverse housing opportunities.
Mobility Options: Our well-connected and accessible neighborhoods and districts will be walkable and served by reliable, safe, and convenient mobility options.
Physical Beauty: Our city will be renowned for the physical beauty of its streets, buildings, public spaces, and infrastructure.
Regional Collaboration: Our city will continue to be the heart of the region. We will remain collaborative with our regional partners with a renewed focus on building partnerships to achieve the aspirations of this plan.
Sustainable Growth and Resilient City: Our community will grow in a sustainable manner and be resilient and adaptable to future changes.
Thriving Economy: Our economy will be resilient, inclusive, diverse, and thriving and will position our city competitively against our national peers.
Walkable, Clean, and Safe: Our community will promote the health of our residents and visitors through being walkable, clean, and safe.


RELATIONSHIP TO EQUITY STATEMENTS

The Playbook also has a series of statements focused on equity. Those that are directly related to the Housing and Neighborhoods Topic are highlighted in grey below:

Addressing Disinvestment: Direct investment to communities that have been abandoned or have experienced long-term disinvestment.
Citywide Accessibility: Ensure services, utilities, and transportation options are provided to everyone.
Community Collaboration: Empower people from different parts of the KC community in working together to solve problems.
Community Engagement: Empower people to shape their communities and recognize that communities value things differently.
Complete Communities: Ensure that people can meet their needs in their own neighborhood without having to travel long distances.
Housing Affordability: Ensure everyone has access to safe and affordable housing.
Inclusive Design: Ensure that development incorporates design features that consider people of all abilities.
Providing Services: Commit to taking care of the built environment and providing the same quality of maintenance and services citywide.
Welcoming Spaces: Ensure that public spaces and amenities are designed to support diverse, culturally authentic, and family-friendly activities, no matter how much money a person is able to spend.


RELATIONSHIP TO BIG IDEAS

There are five Big Ideas for Kansas City in the Playbook. The Big Ideas are the essential themes of the plan. They underpin all that the plan aims to do. Those that are closely related to the Housing and Neighborhoods Topic are highlighted in grey below:

Fostering neighborhoods that accommodate all ages, lifestyles, and incomes by diversifying and densifying housing choices and creating complete communities that facilitate a high quality-of-life
Unique neighborhoods in Kansas City should develop with a diversity of housing and services can meet the needs of current residents and open the doors to future residents. In a rich community, people can invest in their public spaces, private homes, and businesses, and express their unique identity
Creating a physically beautiful city by promoting high-quality design in public spaces, parks, private development, and capital improvements
Aesthetic elements, whether new or historic, delineate the boundaries and character of a neighborhood, which fosters a unique sense of place and anchors communities in their locations. New investment in existing communities should build on existing character, and projects in newer areas of the city should help create new, unique character.
Respecting land as a limited resource by balancing outward growth with infill development, preserving natural resources, and developing in an equitable and sustainable manner
Equitable, sustainable development will bring reinvestment in existing neighborhoods where it is needed and also create high-quality new neighborhoods. Sustainable development will help ensure the city can provide reliable services to neighborhoods while also improving the health and resiliency of our environment.
Maximizing connections and mobility options by bridging or eliminating barriers and creating new physical connections and a robust multimodal transportation system
Providing mobility options that give residents safe, affordable, and convenient access to their daily needs is essential to strong, equitable, and desirable neighborhoods.
Creating a future-proofed city by better anticipating and reacting to new technologies and evolving conditions
Future-proofing Kansas City will better prepare all neighborhoods for coming events, trends, and new technologies.


RELATIONSHIP TO CITYWIDE GOALS

The Playbook identifies ten Citywide Goals for Kansas City. Those that are directly related to the Housing and Neighborhoods Topic are highlighted in grey below:

Connected City: Increase mobility options and create a more connected city
Walkable neighborhoods with good sidewalks, bike lanes, and public transportation are the physical and social foundation of a connected community. Neighborhoods should provide mobility options that reduce reliance on automobiles and give all citizens equal means to move around the city, regardless of economic constraints or physical ability. A land-use framework in neighborhoods that supports a mix of housing options and of uses designed to accommodate walking and biking is also important in creating connected communities. Neighborhoods should be Complete Communities that provide safe, convenient access to residents’ daily needs. Coordinating housing and transit access with job centers improves equitable access to employment and reduces long commutes.
Diversity and Opportunity: Ensure the built environment strives to eliminate disparities, embrace diversity, and create economic opportunity
Housing can either perpetuate or reduce disparities. Done well, housing can help create strong neighborhoods that embrace diversity and promote economic opportunity. Housing that puts people near resources, jobs and services and meets the needs of a diverse community is key to the health of a neighborhood.
Environment for People of All Ages: Create a better environment that will attract and retain young people and allow residents to age-in-place
Successful neighborhoods support people through all stages of their lives. They have public infrastructure, housing, services, and programs to sustain and reinforce residents’ ability to live and thrive over time. Vibrant mixed-use environments, walkable and accessible streets, and public-realm infrastructure build these places. Affordable, mixed-age housing promotes social cohesion and community engagement.
Healthy Environment: Promote a healthy city through environmental sustainability and resiliency
A healthy environment is the foundation of healthy neighborhoods. Clean air, high-quality water, and energy-efficient housing benefits residents’ health and pocketbooks. Access to green space and nature benefit residents’ mental and physical health.
History, Arts, and Culture: Preserve and celebrate our community character, history, arts, and culture
Kansas City’s history and cultural legacy was born in its diverse neighborhoods. Preserving and interpreting significant historic districts, streets, buildings, and sites can protect and promote this legacy. Planning development with community input will help ensure that future housing and commercial spaces reflect the character and cultural heritage of a neighborhood. Public art also can reflect this history and culture, especially if it’s done with or by residents. Cultural districts can designate and promote a neighborhood’s cultural identity. However, the city also should consider that such a designation could spur gentrification and lessen housing affordability. To address that risk, the city could enact measures to support a neighborhood’s existing culture and community, such as community land trusts or organizations to preserve affordable spaces for community uses. Programming such as community festivals and events also helps foster community cohesion and celebration.
Parks and Open Spaces: Protect and expand our system of parks, boulevards, and open spaces
Parks and open spaces are neighborhoods’ play areas, gathering spaces, and outdoor gyms. They are essential to creating and sustaining healthy neighborhoods and communities.
Smart City: Create a smart city through innovation and new technology
Smart city innovation and technology uses data generated by residents and communities to optimize city functions that serve residents and communities. These technologies can promote economic growth and improve residents’ quality of life.
Strong and Accessible Neighborhoods: Create strong and desirable neighborhoods and ensure housing choice and affordability
Equitable access to affordable and diverse housing types is the cornerstone of strong, accessible neighborhoods. This begins with allowing higher density and diversity of housing that can be integrated into existing neighborhoods and help build the framework of strong, new neighborhoods. Requirements and incentives for affordable housing improve equitable access to housing for people at a diversity of income levels. This is particularly important in areas that already have high housing costs. Ensuring a mix of types, sizes, and prices of housing helps people of all ages and means enter the housing market, build wealth, and invest financially in their neighborhoods.
Sustainable and Equitable Growth: Target physical investments strategically and ensure that growth and revitalization are sustainable and equitable
The city must develop, support, and encourage strategic policies and investments for sustainable, equitable housing and neighborhood development. That means directing adequate new investment to established and distressed neighborhoods and accommodating the development of new neighborhoods in previously undeveloped areas in a fiscally and environmentally sustainable way. Community engagement – asking what residents and communities value and need in their neighborhoods - is also critical to equitable growth. Supporting local economic development continues to give agency to residents and business owners, which will promote sustainable, enduring growth and revitalization.
Well-Designed City: Promote high-quality design in public investments and development
Quality design is needed to maintain and enhance neighborhood character and image. Urban design guidelines ensure consistency and quality in the design of public infrastructure (such as streetscapes and civic spaces), and private development (such as mixed-use and commercial spaces, and residences).


RELATIONSHIP TO OBJECTIVES

The Playbook identifies twenty-one Objectives for Kansas City. The Objectives are the nuts and bolts of the Playbook. Each one contains detailed recommendations, strategies, and initiatives for a specific topic, framed by the overall direction the plan sets for that topic. The Objectives also set priorities and metrics for their implementation and provide supporting context, including relevant data and public input. A single Objective often supports multiple Goals and Topics.

Objectives primarily related to the Housing and Neighborhoods Topic:


Objectives secondarily related to the Housing and Neighborhoods Topic:


RELATIONSHIP TO MEASURES OF SUCCESS


Successful implementation of action items related to the Housing and Neighborhoods Topic will result in:


Housing access, options, and affordability will be equitably available in all neighborhoods in Kansas City.
Funds for capital projects (i.e., infrastructure) will be equitably invested across the city.
Livable neighborhoods that increase community connections and neighborhood and overall community resilience.
Diverse housing stock that provides options for various housing types and prices to accommodate varied lifestyle preferences and income.
Individual neighborhoods will be able to highlight what is unique about their community while staying connected to and having pride in the broader community.


The Playbook identifies Measures of Success that help the city gauge whether it is meeting the goals and objectives of the plan. The following metrics relate to the Housing and Neighborhoods Topic:


At-risk affordable housing units
Decrease
Broadband access
Increase
Displacement risk ratio
Decrease
Evictions
Decrease
Land use entropy index (mixed-use development)
Increase
Life expectancy
Increase
Low-income cost-burdened renter households
Decrease
New housing permits (infill vs. greenfield areas)
Increase
New income-restricted affordable housing units
Increase
Number of bedrooms per unit entropy score
Increase
Population with access to a park (minority, low-income, senior, children, zero-car households)
Increase
Population with access to a trail (minority, low-income, senior, children, zero-car households)
Increase
Residential building size entropy score
Increase
Share of population in complete community areas (minority and low-income populations)
Increase
Vacant lots (continually distressed vs. elsewhere)
Decrease



Housing, the most essential need for citizens, is a core component of any city. In Kansas City, there are rural neighborhoods, areas with low-density single-family housing, dense urban development, and variations in between. It’s critical that the city’s housing and neighborhood initiatives accommodate a variety of housing types (single family, multi-family, apartments, etc.), and affordability in rent and property value. Housing policies should help ensure equitable access to housing choice, desirable neighborhoods, employment opportunities, and transportation options. By considering these factors, Kansas City will be able to provide adequate housing to people of all income levels, races, and ages in a way that strengthens the community fabric of all regions in the city. 

Neighborhoods form the physical and social framework of the entire city, and the overall success of the city is linked to the livability of each neighborhood. The city's unique, desirable, accessible neighborhoods are perhaps the biggest reason for the excellent quality of life Kansas City is known for. The value of successful neighborhoods has been understood since before the adoption of FOCUS, the previous comprehensive plan. FOCUS stated, “In order for Kansas City to be the successful New American City, neighborhoods must be livable. Livable neighborhoods connect people physically and socially. They have an identity based on physical character, people, history, or resident involvement. They meet the housing needs and desires of people. And they are healthy in terms of housing conditions, neighborhood cleanliness, and the health of the people who live in them. Neighborhood identity, connectedness, health, and meeting the housing needs of all are essential to building the New American City.”  

Recognizing that some neighborhoods historically have experienced disinvestment and abandonment, this plan must work to eliminate those practices, mitigate past inequities, and prevent future inequities. The Playbook provides strategies to strengthen and revitalize distressed and abandoned neighborhoods, while preventing displacement of residents as reinvestment occurs.

To be successful, Kansas City’s neighborhoods must meet the housing needs of the diverse people and families that live in them. To do so requires equitable access to affordable, safe, and sustainable housing. Stable housing creates and reinforces strong, enduring neighborhoods and communities, which benefits the city overall. Residents in these neighborhoods also must be able to meet their daily needs near their homes, which means neighborhoods need to provide access to job opportunities, schools, health care, shopping, food access, and recreation, resulting in a complete community.

The city must continue to build community capacity and strengthen its partnerships with community leaders to solve problems and improve neighborhoods. The city must ensure new development reinforces and enhances existing and desired neighborhood character. Lastly, the city must balance future infill development and investment in existing neighborhoods with outward growth.

Strong and desirable neighborhoods need high-quality infrastructure and city services, enhancements to neighborhood identity, access to public amenities, well-maintained homes and properties, and a safe environment. Investment and attention toward each of these will further solidify Kansas City as a high-quality, engaging, safe, and desirable city.


RELATIONSHIP TO VISION STATEMENTS

The Playbook has fifteen Vision Statements for Kansas City. The Playbook’s Vision describes what we want to be and outlines how we want our city to develop in the future, in line with community values and priorities. Those that are closely related to the Housing and Neighborhoods Topic are highlighted in grey below:

Affordable Community: We will create and nurture an affordable community and strive for abundant opportunity and employment at a livable wage for our residents.
Cultural Amenities: Our diverse cultural amenities, parks, and open spaces will provide a rich variety of experiences and vibrant environments.
Desirable Place: Our community will attract people and employers through being a desirable place to earn, learn, live, and thrive.
Equitable and Fiscally Sustainable: Our capital investments and growth will be equitable while maintaining the fiscal sustainability of the city.
Healthy Environmental Systems: We will promote and value the health of our environmental and natural systems and protect them from degradation.
History and Heritage: We will preserve places that celebrate all facets of Kansas City’s history and cultural heritage..
Innovation and Creativity: We will cultivate innovation and creativity in our governance, business, and educational practices related to smart city technology and physical development.
KC Uniqueness: We will preserve and enhance those things that make Kansas City unique – the small town feel with big city amenities and the wide range of diverse environments and neighborhoods.
Livable Neighborhoods and Diverse Housing: Our neighborhoods will be strong, livable, and authentic while ensuring diverse housing opportunities.
Mobility Options: Our well-connected and accessible neighborhoods and districts will be walkable and served by reliable, safe, and convenient mobility options.
Physical Beauty: Our city will be renowned for the physical beauty of its streets, buildings, public spaces, and infrastructure.
Regional Collaboration: Our city will continue to be the heart of the region. We will remain collaborative with our regional partners with a renewed focus on building partnerships to achieve the aspirations of this plan.
Sustainable Growth and Resilient City: Our community will grow in a sustainable manner and be resilient and adaptable to future changes.
Thriving Economy: Our economy will be resilient, inclusive, diverse, and thriving and will position our city competitively against our national peers.
Walkable, Clean, and Safe: Our community will promote the health of our residents and visitors through being walkable, clean, and safe.


RELATIONSHIP TO EQUITY STATEMENTS

The Playbook also has a series of statements focused on equity. Those that are directly related to the Housing and Neighborhoods Topic are highlighted in grey below:

Addressing Disinvestment: Direct investment to communities that have been abandoned or have experienced long-term disinvestment.
Citywide Accessibility: Ensure services, utilities, and transportation options are provided to everyone.
Community Collaboration: Empower people from different parts of the KC community in working together to solve problems.
Community Engagement: Empower people to shape their communities and recognize that communities value things differently.
Complete Communities: Ensure that people can meet their needs in their own neighborhood without having to travel long distances.
Housing Affordability: Ensure everyone has access to safe and affordable housing.
Inclusive Design: Ensure that development incorporates design features that consider people of all abilities.
Providing Services: Commit to taking care of the built environment and providing the same quality of maintenance and services citywide.
Welcoming Spaces: Ensure that public spaces and amenities are designed to support diverse, culturally authentic, and family-friendly activities, no matter how much money a person is able to spend.


RELATIONSHIP TO BIG IDEAS

There are five Big Ideas for Kansas City in the Playbook. The Big Ideas are the essential themes of the plan. They underpin all that the plan aims to do. Those that are closely related to the Housing and Neighborhoods Topic are highlighted in grey below:

Fostering neighborhoods that accommodate all ages, lifestyles, and incomes by diversifying and densifying housing choices and creating complete communities that facilitate a high quality-of-life
Unique neighborhoods in Kansas City should develop with a diversity of housing and services can meet the needs of current residents and open the doors to future residents. In a rich community, people can invest in their public spaces, private homes, and businesses, and express their unique identity
Creating a physically beautiful city by promoting high-quality design in public spaces, parks, private development, and capital improvements
Aesthetic elements, whether new or historic, delineate the boundaries and character of a neighborhood, which fosters a unique sense of place and anchors communities in their locations. New investment in existing communities should build on existing character, and projects in newer areas of the city should help create new, unique character.
Respecting land as a limited resource by balancing outward growth with infill development, preserving natural resources, and developing in an equitable and sustainable manner
Equitable, sustainable development will bring reinvestment in existing neighborhoods where it is needed and also create high-quality new neighborhoods. Sustainable development will help ensure the city can provide reliable services to neighborhoods while also improving the health and resiliency of our environment.
Maximizing connections and mobility options by bridging or eliminating barriers and creating new physical connections and a robust multimodal transportation system
Providing mobility options that give residents safe, affordable, and convenient access to their daily needs is essential to strong, equitable, and desirable neighborhoods.
Creating a future-proofed city by better anticipating and reacting to new technologies and evolving conditions
Future-proofing Kansas City will better prepare all neighborhoods for coming events, trends, and new technologies.


RELATIONSHIP TO CITYWIDE GOALS

The Playbook identifies ten Citywide Goals for Kansas City. Those that are directly related to the Housing and Neighborhoods Topic are highlighted in grey below:

Connected City: Increase mobility options and create a more connected city
Walkable neighborhoods with good sidewalks, bike lanes, and public transportation are the physical and social foundation of a connected community. Neighborhoods should provide mobility options that reduce reliance on automobiles and give all citizens equal means to move around the city, regardless of economic constraints or physical ability. A land-use framework in neighborhoods that supports a mix of housing options and of uses designed to accommodate walking and biking is also important in creating connected communities. Neighborhoods should be Complete Communities that provide safe, convenient access to residents’ daily needs. Coordinating housing and transit access with job centers improves equitable access to employment and reduces long commutes.
Diversity and Opportunity: Ensure the built environment strives to eliminate disparities, embrace diversity, and create economic opportunity
Housing can either perpetuate or reduce disparities. Done well, housing can help create strong neighborhoods that embrace diversity and promote economic opportunity. Housing that puts people near resources, jobs and services and meets the needs of a diverse community is key to the health of a neighborhood.
Environment for People of All Ages: Create a better environment that will attract and retain young people and allow residents to age-in-place
Successful neighborhoods support people through all stages of their lives. They have public infrastructure, housing, services, and programs to sustain and reinforce residents’ ability to live and thrive over time. Vibrant mixed-use environments, walkable and accessible streets, and public-realm infrastructure build these places. Affordable, mixed-age housing promotes social cohesion and community engagement.
Healthy Environment: Promote a healthy city through environmental sustainability and resiliency
A healthy environment is the foundation of healthy neighborhoods. Clean air, high-quality water, and energy-efficient housing benefits residents’ health and pocketbooks. Access to green space and nature benefit residents’ mental and physical health.
History, Arts, and Culture: Preserve and celebrate our community character, history, arts, and culture
Kansas City’s history and cultural legacy was born in its diverse neighborhoods. Preserving and interpreting significant historic districts, streets, buildings, and sites can protect and promote this legacy. Planning development with community input will help ensure that future housing and commercial spaces reflect the character and cultural heritage of a neighborhood. Public art also can reflect this history and culture, especially if it’s done with or by residents. Cultural districts can designate and promote a neighborhood’s cultural identity. However, the city also should consider that such a designation could spur gentrification and lessen housing affordability. To address that risk, the city could enact measures to support a neighborhood’s existing culture and community, such as community land trusts or organizations to preserve affordable spaces for community uses. Programming such as community festivals and events also helps foster community cohesion and celebration.
Parks and Open Spaces: Protect and expand our system of parks, boulevards, and open spaces
Parks and open spaces are neighborhoods’ play areas, gathering spaces, and outdoor gyms. They are essential to creating and sustaining healthy neighborhoods and communities.
Smart City: Create a smart city through innovation and new technology
Smart city innovation and technology uses data generated by residents and communities to optimize city functions that serve residents and communities. These technologies can promote economic growth and improve residents’ quality of life.
Strong and Accessible Neighborhoods: Create strong and desirable neighborhoods and ensure housing choice and affordability
Equitable access to affordable and diverse housing types is the cornerstone of strong, accessible neighborhoods. This begins with allowing higher density and diversity of housing that can be integrated into existing neighborhoods and help build the framework of strong, new neighborhoods. Requirements and incentives for affordable housing improve equitable access to housing for people at a diversity of income levels. This is particularly important in areas that already have high housing costs. Ensuring a mix of types, sizes, and prices of housing helps people of all ages and means enter the housing market, build wealth, and invest financially in their neighborhoods.
Sustainable and Equitable Growth: Target physical investments strategically and ensure that growth and revitalization are sustainable and equitable
The city must develop, support, and encourage strategic policies and investments for sustainable, equitable housing and neighborhood development. That means directing adequate new investment to established and distressed neighborhoods and accommodating the development of new neighborhoods in previously undeveloped areas in a fiscally and environmentally sustainable way. Community engagement – asking what residents and communities value and need in their neighborhoods - is also critical to equitable growth. Supporting local economic development continues to give agency to residents and business owners, which will promote sustainable, enduring growth and revitalization.
Well-Designed City: Promote high-quality design in public investments and development
Quality design is needed to maintain and enhance neighborhood character and image. Urban design guidelines ensure consistency and quality in the design of public infrastructure (such as streetscapes and civic spaces), and private development (such as mixed-use and commercial spaces, and residences).


RELATIONSHIP TO OBJECTIVES

The Playbook identifies twenty-one Objectives for Kansas City. The Objectives are the nuts and bolts of the Playbook. Each one contains detailed recommendations, strategies, and initiatives for a specific topic, framed by the overall direction the plan sets for that topic. The Objectives also set priorities and metrics for their implementation and provide supporting context, including relevant data and public input. A single Objective often supports multiple Goals and Topics.

Objectives primarily related to the Housing and Neighborhoods Topic:


Objectives secondarily related to the Housing and Neighborhoods Topic:


RELATIONSHIP TO MEASURES OF SUCCESS


Successful implementation of action items related to the Housing and Neighborhoods Topic will result in:


Housing access, options, and affordability will be equitably available in all neighborhoods in Kansas City.
Funds for capital projects (i.e., infrastructure) will be equitably invested across the city.
Livable neighborhoods that increase community connections and neighborhood and overall community resilience.
Diverse housing stock that provides options for various housing types and prices to accommodate varied lifestyle preferences and income.
Individual neighborhoods will be able to highlight what is unique about their community while staying connected to and having pride in the broader community.


The Playbook identifies Measures of Success that help the city gauge whether it is meeting the goals and objectives of the plan. The following metrics relate to the Housing and Neighborhoods Topic:


At-risk affordable housing units
Decrease
Broadband access
Increase
Displacement risk ratio
Decrease
Evictions
Decrease
Land use entropy index (mixed-use development)
Increase
Life expectancy
Increase
Low-income cost-burdened renter households
Decrease
New housing permits (infill vs. greenfield areas)
Increase
New income-restricted affordable housing units
Increase
Number of bedrooms per unit entropy score
Increase
Population with access to a park (minority, low-income, senior, children, zero-car households)
Increase
Population with access to a trail (minority, low-income, senior, children, zero-car households)
Increase
Residential building size entropy score
Increase
Share of population in complete community areas (minority and low-income populations)
Increase
Vacant lots (continually distressed vs. elsewhere)
Decrease



Page last updated: 11 Apr 2023, 06:15 PM