Spearheading Housing Solutions

I recently joined Kansas Governor Laura Kelly, state legislators, and housing advocates for the ceremonial signing of House Bill 2357. This landmark legislation will help Kansans stay housed and give families facing housing instability a second chance.

From Johnson County Innovation to Statewide Impact

A Fresh Start for Kansas Families

House Bill 2357 creates a legal pathway for tenants to clear past eviction records and encourages district courts to consider mediation in eviction cases. Before this law, an eviction could follow a tenant for life, creating significant barriers to securing future housing, employment, and financial stability.

A Johnson County Success Story

This legislation grew directly from the success of Johnson County's Eviction Mediation Program, a pilot initiative I spearheaded in 2023.

The program connects landlords and tenants with neutral mediators to resolve disputes before families lose their homes. The results have been extraordinary: more than 1,000 Johnson County families have avoided homelessness through this innovative approach.

Leading the Way for Kansas

I am especially proud that this Johnson County initiative received national recognition and helped inspire statewide reform. What began as a local pilot program has now become a model for courts across Kansas seeking effective, compassionate solutions that benefit both tenants and property owners.

Turning Local Solutions into Lasting Change

This is an example of how innovative local government can drive meaningful change across our state. By bringing people together, focusing on practical solutions, and investing in prevention rather than crisis response, we can create stronger communities and better outcomes for Kansas families.