On October 18, 2023 - U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Great Plains Regional Administrator Ulysses Clayborn joined Chief Executive Officer Lisa Brenner of developer Fair Housing Partners LLC and Senior Vice President of Commercial Lending Tracy Howren of UMB Bank at the newly renovated New View Apartments located in northeast Kansas City, Missouri for a ribbon cutting.

A longtime HUD assisted project that suffered from prior owner and management neglect and that potentially faced abatement of its Housing Assistance Payments (HAP) contract, Fair Housing Partners LLC was committed to turning the property and the lives of those that lived and worked there, around. Putting together a compassionate and skilled team, they leveraged 4% and 9% Low Income Housing Tax Credits as well as worked with the HUD Multifamily Southwest Asset Management team, led by Director Ed Manning and Branch Chief Daisy Parker, to bifurcate the existing HAP contract into two separate contracts. This was done to better facilitate acquisition of much-needed equity and debt financing.

Over a five-year period going back to 2018, the property formerly known as Northeast View Apartments and that had two consecutive Real Estate Assessment Center (REAC) failures going against it, has been transformed into a beautiful two-phase project of 135 affordable, subsidized units showcasing modern amenities and the integration of accessibility features. What was once commonly considered a blight on the neighborhood is now a point of pride according to Brenner in her remarks, a point reinforced by one of the property’s staff and also a resident, Ms. Amino Abdi. Abdi, who also spoke at the ribbon-cutting, highlighted the fact that New View is not just a place to work and live but is a place of learning, support and above all cultural diversity. Both Brenner and Abdi made note that New View had a variety of nationalities from across the globe living and thriving under the improved conditions. Abdi also shared how Fair Housing Partners LLC quickly demonstrated that they were not merely there to make money by flipping a property for a quick sale but wanted to improve the lives of the residents and workers over the long term. She mentioned that Brenner made sure they had a professional property management team that trained and took pride in making sure the existing property staff had the skills and support needed to do their jobs – especially their roles in upkeeping the property and assisting the residents, something the former owner had not prioritized.

HUD’s Clayborn was the lead speaker and gave thanks for the many people and organizations involved. But his more poignant message was about the fact that HUD’s mission is not about building houses. It is about building homes, as homes not only acknowledge the shelter needs of the residents but their desires and aspirations as people. He also shared his belief that building affordable housing is not for the faint of heart. It requires stamina, dedication and belief – all things he found in ample supply at New View.

“Projects like this do not assemble themselves,” said HUD’s Clayborn during his remarks. “They are produced through committed hearts, hard work, and coordinated effort.”

Over the coming months, all phases of construction will be winding down at New View and remaining residents, not already relocated back into their homes, will return to their new units with a renewed sense of pride and security in their neighborhood.

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