Tenant Bill of Rights Executive Summary  AS OF: October 28, 2019    KC  Tenants:  ​KC  Tenants  is  an  organization  led  by  a  multiracial,  multigenerational  base  in  Kansas City that has sought to build power among poor and working class tenants. KC Tenants  is  organizing  to  ensure  that  everyone  in  Kansas  City  has  a  safe,  healthy,  accessible, and truly  affordable  home.  After  making  housing  a  key  issue  in  the  KCMO  elections  this  spring,  KC  Tenants  decided  to  run  a  campaign  to  win  a  Tenant  Bill  of  Rights,  written  by  the  people  who  are closest to the problems.    Tenant  Bill  of  Rights  Package:  ​KC  Tenants drafted a Tenant Bill of Rights package, informed  by  lived  experience  and  support  by  legal  experts,  to  be  passed  by  the  KCMO  Mayor  and  City  Council.  Tenants  make  up  48%  of  the  City’s  residents.  The  Bill  of  Rights  package  aims  to  address the housing issues tenants face, especially related to affordability, access, health, and  accountability.  The  proposed  package  includes  two  resolutions  and  an ordinance. KC Tenants  wants them passed together, and fully funded to ensure implementation and enforcement.     1. Tenant  Bill  of  Rights:  ​This  resolution  affirms  the  Mayor  and  Council’s  commitment  to  enforcing  existing  tenant  rights,  and  lists  additional  protections  that  will  allow  Kansas  City’s  tenants  more  security  in  their  housing.  To ensure implementation and enforcement,  the  resolution  directs  the  Council  to  provide  $1  million  annual  general  fund  support  for  a  new Division of the Tenant Advocate (see below).    2. Right  to  Counsel:  ​This  resolution  establishes  a  right  to  counsel  for  low-income  tenants,  directing  the  City  Manager  to  fund  lawyers  in  landlord-tenant  legal  disputes,  including  eviction.  The  lawyers  would  provide  free  services  to  tenants  with  incomes  at  or  under  200%  of  the  federal  poverty  line  (i.e.  under  ~$24,980  for  an  individual, under ~$51,500 for  a family of four). The cost would amount to $650,000 annually from the general fund.    3. Office  of  the  Tenant  Advocate:  ​This  ordinance  establishes  a  new  City  Office  to  educate  tenants  of  their  rights, investigate claims, provide case support, and enforce tenant rights.  The  Office  will  manage  tenants’  legal  counsel,  establish  a  Tenant  Center,  and  operate  a  Tenant  Phone  Hotline.  It  would also have the ability to revoke landlord permits in the event  that rights are violated. New tenant rights protected by this Office include:  ● Freedom  from  discrimination  on  the  basis  of:  race,  color,  religion,  national  origin,  sex,  disability,  marital  status,  familial  status,  sexual  orientation,  gender  expression,  gender  identity,  being  a  victim  of  domestic  violence,  sexual  assault  or  stalking,  source  of  income, conviction or arrest history, or rental history;   ● Disclosures about past issues in the unit and a utilities estimate;   ● Affirmative consent and proper notice before landlord entry;    ● Accountability and restorative justice in the event of tenant harassment;   ● No “just cuz” evictions, only “good cause” evictions;   ● Limits on security deposits, late fees, and attorneys fees; and,   ● Right to organize, collectively bargain, and protection from retaliation.  RALLY: OCTOBER 30, 2019.  PACKAGE INTRODUCTION: OCTOBER 31, HOUSING COMMITTEE HEARING: NOVEMBER 6.  CONTACT KCTENANTS@GMAIL.COM WITH QUESTIONS.