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Enews 2-19-21: Racial Equity and Homeownership; ATF Grant AwardsOutcomes for Black Residents; ATF

Enews 2-19-21: Racial Equity and Homeownership; ATF Grant AwardsOutcomes for Black Residents; ATF

Racial Equity and the Role of Homeownership - Editorial UCS has long advocated for economic stability policies that support the well-being of our community and provide people with the opportunity to achieve their individual potential. But what should advocacy look like for community members who have been prevented generationally from achieving their individual potential due to a history of systemic racism and segregationist polices? One example of these discriminatory policies traces its roots back to our local community. The Johnson County landscape was drawn in the early 20th century, when federally sanctioned segregation in home loans and housing choice restricted Black families ...
Enews 2-8-21: UCS Releases Johnson County Municipalities Community Housing Study

Enews 2-8-21: UCS Releases Johnson County Municipalities Community Housing Study

UCS Releases Johnson County Municipalities Community Housing Study A project milestone has been reached today with the release of the Johnson County Municipalities Community Housing Study. The study is a part of a multi-year Healthy Communities Initiative addressing safe, stable, attainable housing across all ages and stages of life for those who live, work or wish to call Johnson County home. “The study is the result of a diverse and dedicated partnership between the County, municipalities, and a wide range of community partners,” said UCS Executive Director Julie Brewer. UCS, through grant support from the Kansas Health Foundation and REACH Healthcare Foundation, ...
Enews 2-4-21: Point-In-Time Count; Human Service Fund Awards; Dir of Community Planning Open Position

Enews 2-4-21: Point-In-Time Count; Human Service Fund Awards; Dir of Community Planning Open Position

Point-in-Time Count -- Thank You for Helping! A HUGE thank you to the many Johnson County agencies and volunteers who publicized, trained for, and administered the Point-in-Time (PIT) count on homelessness January 26-29. We want to particularly acknowledge Matt Clark of Johnson County Mental Health Center and Rita Carr of ReStart, Inc. for their efforts in PIT training and coordination. The data collected on the number and characteristics of individuals and households experiencing homelessness in Johnson County is critical for identifying gaps in services, shifts in need, and areas of success. UCS will share a report on this data in the ...
Enews 1-21-21: Poverty in Johnson County Municipalities; Homelessness Point In Time Count

Enews 1-21-21: Poverty in Johnson County Municipalities; Homelessness Point In Time Count

Poverty in Johnson County Municipalities UCS has published a new fact sheet detailing the poverty rates for each of Johnson County’s 19 cities and seven townships, based on the most recent five-year estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey. Collected and compiled prior to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, it provides a valuable 5-year trend analysis of the status of poverty in the county before the impacts of the pandemic. While poverty rates vary by community and age group, every municipality is home to residents who experience poverty. Understanding the pre-COVID capacity these households had to meet ...
Enews 1-12-21: Annual Meeting Summary; Public Policy Forum Summary; PIT Count

Enews 1-12-21: Annual Meeting Summary; Public Policy Forum Summary; PIT Count

UCS Reflects on a Year of Challenges and Celebrates a Strong Community Approximately 150 community members participated in the 2020 UCS Annual Meeting on December 4, where the theme was Stronger Community Together. The event was an opportunity to reflect on the ways in which UCS uniquely responded to the COVID-19 pandemic by engaging partners, providing information and resources, and responding to emerging needs. From working with community partners to find a “shelter in place” solution for community members experiencing homelessness who may have tested positive or were waiting for COVID test results, to serving on the KC Regional COVID-19 ...
Enews 12-10-20: Unemployment in Johnson County; KS Public Policy Forum

Enews 12-10-20: Unemployment in Johnson County; KS Public Policy Forum

Unemployment Claims Rising in Johnson County In November 2020, the Kansas Department of Labor recorded the highest number of initial unemployment claims since the early weeks of the COVID-19 pandemic in mid-April. Nearly 6,500 Johnson County residents filed unemployment claims in the week ending December 5, up from an average of 216 new weekly claims in 2020 before the economic fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic began. To date, the highest number of jobless claims have been from residents in industries considered “essential”: health care and social assistance, accommodation and food services, and retail trade. Occupations in these industries may pay ...
Enews 12-3-20: COVID-19 Relief Funds; KS Public Policy Forum; Children's Coordinating Council Meeting

Enews 12-3-20: COVID-19 Relief Funds; KS Public Policy Forum; Children’s Coordinating Council Meeting

COVID-19 Relief Funds Available to Assist with Priority Needs Johnson County has allocated approximately $35 million in COVID-19 Relief Funds in our community as a part of the CARES Act funding program. Priority community need responses include: Rental Assistance: This proposal addresses the economic need of Johnson County households who have lost income stability to maintain their current housing in order to prevent homelessness, boost mental health (less stress due to housing burden), support ongoing employment and education, protect credit, and preserve existing housing stock and small businesses by assuring creditors and landlords’ bills are met. Apply as soon as possible ...
Enews 11-24-20: Register for UCS Virtual Events in December: Annual Meeting, Public Policy Forum, Children's Coordinating Council

Enews 11-24-20: Register for UCS Virtual Events in December: Annual Meeting, Public Policy Forum, Children’s Coordinating Council

UCS Annual Meeting will be virtual this year! UCS Public Policy Forum Children's Coordinating Council ...
Enews 11-13-20: Poverty Rate in Greater KC; Children's Coordinating Council Meeting; UCS Annual Meeting

Enews 11-13-20: Poverty Rate in Greater KC; Children’s Coordinating Council Meeting; UCS Annual Meeting

Profile of Greater Kansas City Region Recent data from the 2019 U.S. Census American Community Survey show a slight increase in overall levels of poverty between 2018 and 2019 in the Kansas City region. Many residents across communities in the region saw improved economic conditions. However, nearly 200,000 residents continue to have income below 100% of the federal poverty level. More than 1 in 4 residents (469,921 people) was low-income, or 200% of the federal poverty level in 2019. Race and ethnicity continue to be determining factors in household income. For more information, view our most recent fact sheet. Children’s ...
Enews 10-22-20: COVID-19 Impact on Unemployment; Racial Equity and Inclusion at UCS; Housing Task Force

Enews 10-22-20: COVID-19 Impact on Unemployment; Racial Equity and Inclusion at UCS; Housing Task Force

COVID-19 Impact on Unemployment Figures and Low Wage Earners in Johnson County The overall unemployment rate for Johnson County was 4.7% according to the September 2020 unemployment report from the Kansas Department of Labor. While this number is an improvement from the pandemic high of 10.6% in July, weekly unemployment filings are increasing after a drop during the summer. Filings since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic hit a low in June with 1,102 initial claims the week ending June 20th. Filings during the week of October 17th were more than triple that number, with 3,539 workers filing initial unemployment claims. Since ...

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