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Legal aid and accountability groups request funding to extend tenant defense and family support services
Summary
Legal Aid of Western Missouri and KC LEAP asked Jackson County for funds to expand tenant legal services outside Kansas City limits and to sustain rapid response and family navigation after police-involved incidents. Legal Aid highlighted eviction cases tied to voucher and abatement disputes.
LegalAid of Western Missouri and community accountability groups asked the Budget Committee for county funds to expand legal help and victim/family navigation.
Michelle Albano (S65), housing supervisor at Legal Aid of Western Missouri, said tenants outside Kansas City limits increasingly need legal help; she described cases in which tenants with housing choice vouchers faced evictions after landlords placed properties into abatement and housing authorities paused subsidy payments. Legal Aid requested $40,000 to expand services for residents of surrounding municipalities.
KC LEAP (Steve Young, S51) requested $17,600 to support an audit and part‑time administrative capacity for a rapid‑response program that assists families after serious incidents involving law enforcement; the organization described assisting more than 75 victims and families since 2021 and emphasized nonpartisan support and navigation of complaint processes and records access.
Speakers (attributions in this article): Michelle Albano (Legal Aid of Western Missouri); Steve Young (KC LEAP).
