Swope Community Builders receive 2003 Governor’s Award for Excellence in
Affordable Housing
Gov. Bob Holden presented Swope Community Builders with the 2003
Governor’s Award for Excellence in Affordable Housing for redeveloping
the Ridgeview Heights apartment complex. The award was presented at an
award luncheon, Friday, Sept. 26, at the Governor’s Conference on
Housing held in St. Louis.
“Swope Community Builders received the award for their tireless
dedication to the cause of affordable housing,” said Governor Holden.
“The success of Ridgeview Heights is an example of cooperation; of
partnership; and the power of dedication and plain old hard work. A
substantial affordable housing asset has been preserved, and equally
important, Ridgeview Heights is now a symbol of pride and progress for
an improving neighborhood.”
Ridgeview Heights, formerly known as Boulevard Village Apartments, is a
191-unit multifamily housing community located adjacent to the Veteran’s
Administration Medical Center in Kansas City. Originally built in the
1940’s as housing for veterans, the development had fallen into such a
state of disrepair that it was known mainly for high crime, drug
activity, and severe blight. Boulevard Village Apartments detracted from
the surrounding neighborhood and was a candidate for demolition and
would be forever lost as affordable housing.
In 2000, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
foreclosed on the property. But Swope Community Builders, formerly known
as Community Builders of Kansas City, had a different vision for the
future of the property. They bought the property for a nominal amount
and worked to put together an impressive $13.7 million redevelopment
plan that included bond financing; federal and state rental housing
credit; a HUD grant; and a HOME loan from the City of Kansas City. The
result was a complex financial partnership designed to minimize the
long-term debt of the property and still provide affordable housing for
low-income working families. The extensive rehabilitation was completed
in October 2002 and the development was renamed Ridgeview Heights.
Ridgeview Heights offers amenities such as a library and computer center
for after-school tutoring, and study areas to give young people and
adults the opportunity to improve their job skills. Other programs are
available on-site, as well, including a GED program, health care,
counseling services and many activities for children. Along with the
physical transformation of the property, a crime-prevention program,
called the Community Security Initiative, and additional support
activities have made this development an incubator for social and
economic opportunities for the residents and the surrounding
neighborhood.
-30-
NOTE TO EDITORS: Media representative questions can be directed to Brandon Laster, Public Information Officer, at 816.759.6692 or e-mail
blaster@mhdc.com.
