Kansas City South Side Seyz Homeless Housing Threatens Community Resources

The plan to dump hundreds of homeless people in an old school hotel on Blue Ridge Blvd. has met with widespread opposition from South KC public officials and neighborhood leaders.

Here's part of the concern that's echoed by so many people forced to live near sketchy facilities established by slapdash city hall policy . . .

KCMO South Patrol Division Commander James Buck noted that the city didn’t include any additional funding in the police department budget this fiscal year to increase South Patrol staffing, and its current staffing levels are below what they were two months ago.  He said even with full staffing the division struggles to respond to the needs of the community.

He said temporarily housing a large number of homeless persons recently at another area hotel increased 911 calls from the site and increased crime in the area since the organizations placing them there did not have sufficient staffing to successfully deal with conflicts and  misconduct.

Housing large numbers of homeless persons at the hotel on Blue Ridge Blvd. raises the possibility of additional resources being needed from South Patrol to respond to calls there, he said.

“This diversion of services means less time and resources available to deal with violent crime within the division,” Buck said. 

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . .

Neighbors voice concerns over prospective homeless housing location

By John Sharp A proposal by KCMO city staff to possibly purchase the 99-room America's Best Value Inn at 11801 Blue Ridge Blvd. to provide long-term housing for homeless individuals and those at risk of becoming homeless encountered strong opposition during a nearly two-hour long in-person meeting May 31 to gather community input on the project.