So yesterday at the UG meeting, the commissioners were informed that they have to fire 80 people and implement a hiring freeze because of revenue issues. Since I’m part of that, it’s better for me to stay quiet for now and listen. But let me say this: I’m the only immigrant, the only woman, and part of a household of union members — a lifelong Democrat who understands what it means to work hard and fight for what’s fair. I’m here to represent and advocate for everyone, no matter where you come from. Let’s stay focused, stay united, and keep pushing for the changes our community truly needs. #UnionStrong #ImmigrantVoices #DemocratForThePeople #CommunityFirst #WyCo #UGCommission #WeDeserveBetter

Right now, a lot of UG employees are mad — and it’s easy to see why. I was watching the UG meeting on YouTube, and it was rough. All the poor decisions these commissioners have made over the years have caught up. Now we’re looking at a billion-dollar debt they created, and there’s no easy way out. That’s why it’s time to stop the distractions. Let’s focus on real issues that affect our community: immigration and the union. Alma, I see you, and I see what matters. Let’s keep the conversation going. #UGCommission #UnionStrong #ImmigrationMatters #CommunityFocus #AccountabilityNow #WyCo #LocalPolitics #SpeakUp

🏘️ WyCo Housing Under Pressure: The Corporate Takeover 📈

In Wyandotte County, local homeownership feels increasingly out of reach. While median home values hover around $220K–$230K, showing a 5–7% annual increase, much of this surge is driven by institutional investors snapping up properties faster than families can compete 💸 :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}.

🔍 What the Research Tells Us:

• Median listing price ~\$227K (+13.5% YoY), and ~30% of homes sell above list price :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}.
• Investor-owned single-family rentals now account for nearly 20% of the Kansas City metro’s rental stock—5 companies control ~8,000 homes :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}.

📣 In Their Own Words:

> “If we would find a house we liked… by the time we had just a few days to talk it was already gone.” > — Brenna Dwyer, house-hunting in Shawnee :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}

> “Real estate flippers are generally shitbags… they do shoddy work and charge exorbitant markups.” > — Kansas City resident on Reddit :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}

⚠️ Why This Matters:

• Families get priced out—unable to compete with cash offers and institutional buyers.
• Homes held as investments often become rentals with minimal upkeep, hurting neighborhood quality :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}.
• Corporate dominance skews market dynamics—fewer owner-occupied homes, more absentee landlords.

📌 What WyCo Needs Now:

• 🏠 Limit how many homes corporations can own in residential zones
• 🌐 Set aside inventory for first-time buyers via down‑payment aid and preferred offers
• 🤝 Expand housing co‑ops, land trusts, and community ownership models
• 💰 Incentivize local ownership by taxing non-owner occupancy or setting owner-residency requirements

WyCo deserves a housing market that serves its residents—not investment portfolios. 🧱 Let’s demand policies that keep homes local and affordable.

📣 Have you seen homes in your neighborhood bought by investors or flipped quickly? Share your story—let’s build momentum for change.

#HousingJustice #KeepWyCoLocal #StopTheBuyOut #CommunityOwnership

🏘️ Affordable Housing in WyCo: Let's Talk Solutions 🛠️

In Wyandotte County, we’re seeing a rise in new housing developments—but many of these new properties come with price tags that far exceed what most people working minimum wage can afford. 😟

📈 The Problem: New properties are being built at market rates that outpace our local incomes. With the minimum wage hovering around $7.25 to $10/hr, monthly rents of $1,200+ just aren’t realistic. This forces working families, seniors, and young adults to either stretch their budgets too thin or look elsewhere.

💡 The Fix: We need real, community-driven solutions:

• 🏗️ Inclusionary Zoning: Require a portion of new housing to be affordable based on local income levels.
• 🏢 Public-Private Partnerships: Work with developers to offer tax incentives for building affordable units.
• 💵 Wage and Income Advocacy: Push for higher wages and support job training programs that lead to higher-paying careers.
• 📊 Transparent Development: Make sure the community has a voice in what gets built and who it’s for.

🏘️ Affordable housing isn’t just about roofs—it’s about dignity, stability, and a thriving WyCo for all. Let’s work together to build smarter and fairer. 💬

🔄 Share your thoughts. What would you like to see done differently in your neighborhood?

#AffordableHousing #WyCoStrong #CommunitySolutions #BuildForUs