HUD terminated the Section 8 rental assistance contract on the scattered site single family rental development only when it became clear that the agency could not preserve this scarce affordable housing resource. After years of cajoling the negligent owner to restore the housing back to decent, safe, and sanitary condition, the Kansas City office decided to move forward with a solid strategy to protect the tenants and make their move a positive experience.

"The Brush Creek relocation was unique because we were dealing with relocating people from single family units," said Lorin Hunt, a Public Trust Officer in Kansas City. "Brush Creek is an excellent example of cooperation between the Kansas City Multifamily Housing HUB, the Community Builders and the Ft. Worth Enforcement and Property Disposition Centers."

From the very start, Housing Public Trust Officers and Community Builders sought to quell the fears of the residents; they visited each family personally, hand delivering information door-to-door to ensure that all residents understood the situation and would attend a series of community meetings at a local community center. So that no residents would be left out of those meetings, CB Fellow Anthony Taylor worked with local churches to coordinate transportation to and accessibility of the community meeting facilities.

In spite of the tight rental market and the large number of families in need of relocation help, the team was able to carry out the entire relocation in seven months. Community Builder Fellow Deana Ervin and her Public Trust Officer counterparts engaged a number of partners to support the effort. These partners included: Missouri Housing Development Commission, the Mayor’s office, City Council members, Neighborhood Preservation, Housing and Community Development, housing counseling partners, the relocation contractors, and the offices of Congressional and State Representatives.  Participating HUD Public Trust Officers included staff from the Offices of Housing, Counsel, the Enforcement Center, Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity and Public Affairs. 

The team of Community Builders and Public Trust Officers maintained regular contact with the residents, neighborhood leaders, and community partners throughout the seven-month process, working hard to provide all of the support needed to make the difficult transition a success. Ervin worked to keep local school officials aware of the ages and number of children affected among the 100 families.  The team held housing fairs to educate and inform residents of available housing opportunities and occupancy requirements; connected potential home buyers with local housing counseling partners; sought out and advised residents of opportunities to access the City’s HOME funds for down-payment assistance; and provided listings of recently constructed homes available through area Community Development Corporations.

To date almost all of the affected families have been relocated into new housing that safe, decent, and sanitary. Four families have become homeowners thanks to the collaborative efforts of HUD and its community partners. At this time the, final six families are awaiting final inspections of their new housing units.

"Thank God, HUD and everyone involved," said one resident at the last community meeting.  Residents thanked the HUD team for their intervention and support that led to their new homes. They were excited about modern amenities such as first floor laundry areas, nice lawns, new neighbors, and most of all, a fresh start.