Urban Neighborhood Initiative

Purposed built communities-as part of unis focus on building healthy neighborhoods where all can succeed and thrive was initiated the phillips collective in partnership with wendell phillips neighborhood.uni has acquired options on over 100 vacant properties in the wendell phillips Neighborhood, and has started the cradle-to-college education pipeline with the establishment of the Kansas city Neighborhood academy(kcna). Uni has also purchased two blocks of land which is directly east of the school. A rfp was recently issued which seeked a plan to develop mixed-income housing. Uni is also working with Neighborhood association on health and wellness services for the community.

Other community events which uni hosts varies. Four (4) block parties were held to engage with residents and help them engage with one another, two (2) fairs were held to connect residents with resources may help them, volunteer/clean up days to beautify the community and canvassed to keep the residents informed of things which were going on in the community.

Vacant to vibrant - works to reduce the number of vacant properties within the uni area, ensure that revitalization efforts build sustainable and equitable neighborhoods that are healthy, safe and attractive places to live and shared by people of all economic levels. Under this umbrella, uni managed three acton groups: clear titles green spaces,and promote equitable neighborhoods (pen). Clear titles worked to improve the notice process for properties which are going into tax sale. Green spaces facilitates a process to engage uni Neighborhood residents to prioritize vacant lots which they would like to be transformed. Pen works to promote affordable housing stategies from kcmos housing policy recommendations while also engaging demonstration block residents to identify assets, describe their vision for the block and help to identify resources to make the vision real.