According to the Lee’s Summit Affordable Housing Needs Assessment prepared by students in UBPL 710: Introduction to Housing Policy Urban Planning Program, University of Kansas, “There are more low-income renter households than there are low-cost rental units affordable to these households”. In Lee’s Summit, 47 percent of renters pay more than 30 percent of their income on housing, which is considered a threshold for high housing cost hardship. Those earning the lowest incomes face the greatest housing cost hardship. Households making $20,000 to $34,999 face high housing cost burden with 80 percent paying more than 30 percent.
The 2015-2019 Consolidated Plan for the City of Lee’s Summit, which is part of the Community Development Block Grant includes an analysis of housing needs. NA-10 Housing Needs Assessment – 24 CFR 91.205 summarizes housing costs and household income levels. This study indicates that 25.5% of the 33,222 households in Lee’s summit are low to moderate income. The data concludes that approximately 13% of all households in Lee’s Summit spend more than 50% of their gross income on rent/mortgage and utilities, which is considered a burden. This high housing cost hardship is particularly serious for the extremely low-income segment of households earning 30% or less of HAMFI.
With such significant numbers, the data suggests that there is a need for more affordable housing in Lee’s Summit. With a high percentage of households in the City below 100% HAMFI, there is likely a significant demand for increased offerings of public and other supportive housing programs, in addition to more affordable housing in general.
On May 10, 2018 HACLS executive director, Darrin Taylor and Commissioners of the Housing Authority presented information on affordable housing to the City Council. The presentation included information from the Lee’s Summit Affordable Housing Needs Assessment.
The Housing Authority is committed to exploring all opportunities, strengthening existing relationships and creating new partnerships to realize our mission and see our vision come to fruition. We must work together to meet the affordable housing needs of our Community.