The Missouri Housing Development Commission awarded UMKC School of Law a $630,000 grant to fund their Tenant Representation Initiative program.
Partnering with United Way, the School of Law’s program uses Emergency Rental Assistance funds provided through federal pandemic legislation to represent tenants throughout Jackson County and Kansas City, Missouri facing eviction.
Jeffrey Thomas, Associate Dean for Strategic Initiatives and Graduate Programs, leads the team of four Truman Fellows, a managing attorney and three current law students serving as law clerks.
From November 2020 through May 2021, the initiative has handled more than 300 cases to conclusion.
The UMKC team hopes this program will be an opportunity to find better systems to handle landlord and disputes for the future.
Read additional information at KCUR Tenant Representation Initiative Program and KCUR Podcast UMKC School of Law Tenant Representation Initiative Program .