More gunfire, one dead, in Armour Section 8 Apartments

Yesterday afternoon, 2 men were shot, one fatally, in the Georgian Court Apartments on Armour Blvd.

The man who was still alive was a resident of the building and said that the other man tried to break into his apartment, so he shot him in self defense. The dead man was found in the doorway to the apartment.

This marks yet another shooting in one of four major project-based Section 8 buildings along Armour. While this is the first murder in any of the apartments this year, there were 5 that were within a block of these apartments last yaer.

Many officials are starting to see the problems with project-based Section 8 -- isloating people with low incomes to live only among others with low incomes. Authorities from the state have gotten involved, and a new management company with the apartments has also helped. But the idea of vertically segregating low-income people into a high-rise building creates an unsafe situation for them, and a situation that does not set them up for the best opportunities to removing themselves from assisted housing.

We must find a way to deconsolidate low-income housing in this city and move to a more voucher-based system so that we can have the best results for everyone -- especially those who live in these apartments. This has been going on far too long. We must show an ability to learn from 30 years of mistakes.

H/T: Crime Scene KC

Related: Crime, Armour Boulevard and Redefining an Urban Struggle

Opposing Project Based Section 8 is opposing bad policy

Another Shooting in Sectoin 8 Housing Along Armour BLVD

Even random shootings are somewhat predictable when bad public policy is at play

Creating modern day ghettos?

Comments

[d]

...So sad. It's such a beautiful building, too.

[smh]

Brent, I noticed TKC is claiming (as usual) you're all about gentrification because you happen to live in Hyde Park and care about the neighborhood and city.

What really gets me about his asinine commentary is that those buildings were once at the pinnacle of Kansas City society. It isn't as if anyone is advocating for their destruction or the repopulation of the area exclusively by white folks. We're just saying a ghetto is a ghetto whether it covers 10 blocks or 10 stories. Either way, it is detrimental to everyone in the city and especially those in the neighborhood.

And sure, maybe it hurts a little worse to see a once proud KC Boulevard marred by such destitution and violence.

Thanks for keeping us informed about this. You really are a fantastic resource regarding this area of town.

[Brent]

Thanks smh.

I of course saw TKC's comments, but it's important to note that I don't support these types of project-based Section 8 establishments anywhere. Not in my neighborhood, or in anyone elses.

We are federally subsidizing a place where people have to live in fear who have no option on where else to go. If it ever gets too bad, I'll pack my things and move to another part of the city (as many have done over the years). The people in these buildings don't have that option.