Numbers underscore the troubling prevalence of eviction in the Kansas City area. Nearly three of every 100 renters in Jackson County—a rate almost 20 percent higher than the national average—lost their homes in 2016.
The issue revolves, however, around the people whose lives are uprooted, single moms and schoolchildren and others threatened with homelessness. The Library and KCPT-Kansas City PBS look at their stories and begin a search for solutions in the second installment of a series examining eviction in the city.
The event begins with a screening of Evicted, a documentary examining the issue and how it's tackled elsewhere. A panel then discusses how it can be addressed in KC. Co-presented by the Black Community Fund and KCPT-Kansas City PBS.
Bob Wise, Landlord
Bob Wise represents landlords and rental property owners in legal disputes. The Kansas City-based attorney speaks around the country on landlord-tenant law, debt collections and Fair Housing. He is a former executive director of the Missouri Apartment Association and a member of the board of the Apartment Association of Kansas City.
Director of Community and Family Engagement at SchoolSmartKC, a collaboration funded by the Kauffman Foundation, the Hall Family Foundation and the Walton Family Foundation. Its goal is to close the achievement gap in public schools in Kansas City. Housing insecurity has been identified as a pivotal issue in holding back the academic performance of the district's students.
Evie Craig, reStart Inc.
Executive director and CEO of reStart Inc., an organization which provides housing and support services to the homeless. She is also a lead partner in the Kansas City Eviction Project, a collaboration of researchers, community organizers, neighborhood leaders, lawyers, and policymakers working to improve housing policy.
Kelly Hrabe, Developer
Owner of PrairieFire Development. He has over 25 years of experience in real estate development, construction, and urban planning related projects.
Quinton Lucas is one of the thirteen members of the Kansas City, MO City Council. He is also chair of the City Housing Committee.
