LISC Partners with Trust Neighborhoods to Build MINT Communities

In today's new and urban living landscape, we can expect to see more mixed-income neighborhood trusts, otherwise known as MINTs. MINT housing programs are designed to keep rent affordable and prevent displacement. Among those organizations, LISC Kansas City collaborates with Trust Neighborhoods, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to developing socially just, affordable, healthy and safe environments.

Trust Neighborhoods was founded by David Kemper, CEO; Kavya Shankar, chief operating officer; and Jason Dehaemers, chief product officer. The three of them came together with a mission to create a more equitable environment for Kansas City residents with a focus on economic development. Throughout 2019 and 2020, they sat down with many residents, neighborhood-based organizations and housing organizations across the country to ask how residents spend their time, where their pain points are and what their overall experience is like living in their neighborhoods.

“I think we all shared this frustration that there are all these resources, but people are only working on a few neighborhoods in a few large cities,” Kemper said. “But housing displacement is playing out across the country with many locations unable to receive the same kind of attention, care and alignment needed to amplify these communities compared to the other larger cities.”

“We're trying to outcompete developers who are buying up neighborhoods and raising outside capital and causing its residents to lose control of their futures,” Kemper said.

LISC provides grants to Trust Neighborhoods to support their work and development projects. LISC was able to serve as an intermediary for the organization to receive one of its latest grants. LISC is also involved in neighborhood activations and event support.

“LISC Kansas City has been a great source of advice and guidance,” Kemper said. “What they've built on technical advice and support has been a wonderful thing,” Kemper said.

In the Northeast Neighborhood Trust, more than 70% of funds put into capital investments are used to renovate properties and vacant houses instead of acquisition, further improving housing quality in the Northeast neighborhood without increasing market costs. And although Kansas City has seen an up tick in crime, MINT neighborhood crime rates are declining. Further benefiting lower-income renters most harmed by gentrification and more likely to be displaced to areas with less security and lower education and employment outcomes.

“It is key to deliver units that preserve affordability in these neighborhoods while also matching with young professionals and people who want to return to the neighborhood after being displaced,” Kemper said.

“Also, Trust Neighborhood investors receive a long-term performance fee that is not applied unless the MINT is financially sustainable and performing at expectation. Trust Neighborhoods does not charge for plans that do not result in long-term impact.

Kansas City will always be home, but the team at Trust Neighborhoods hopes to one day touch the lives of low-income communities across the country to build a more equitable and impactful future.

“We want to have that capacity to start projects in neighborhoods across the country, but it is certainly meaningful to get more projects in Kansas City neighborhoods,” Kemper said.

Community members can get involved with Trust Neighborhoods mission by donating directly on its website. Kemper also advises simply volunteering with neighborhood stakeholders in MINT neighborhoods to help continue building a community and making it a better place to live. A volunteer opportunity includes cleanups and resident scouting to match community members with neighborhood benefits at the Lykins Neighborhood Association, a key contributor to the success of the Neighborhood Trust.

Trust Neighborhoods has built vibrant and thriving communities. The organization is an example of what the future of living holds for under resourced areas. If you are a community leader interested in MINT housing or are interested in donating, please visit the Trust Neighborhoods website.