Housing

As housing becomes less affordable and services to neighborhoods diminish, a panel of local experts take on the issue May 13, at the Topeka/Shawnee County Public Library

Topeka ranks 58^thin the nation among large cities in housing evictions, finishing ahead of larger cities in the region such as Kansas City, MO, St. Louis and Milwaukee, according to Princeton University’s Eviction Lab.

Access to safe, adequate and affordable housing remains a key quality of life indicator and an important measurement for how well a community is meeting for the needs of its most vulnerable citizens including children and seniors. Our neighborhoods are cornerstones of the community, but some neighborhoods are isolated from needed goods and services.

Join event organizers El Centro Inc., the Topeka Center for Peace and Justice, and the League of Women Voters Topeka Shawnee Countyfor a discussion of the issue entitled, “Housing and the American Dream,” scheduled for 6 p.m. Monday May 13at the Topeka/Shawnee County Public Library’s Marvin Auditorium 101C.

The event is free and open to the public and will examine Topeka and Shawnee County practices as well as compare statewide efforts and topics that include:

● How is our community doing in terms of safe, affordable, and adequate housing?

● How does housing relate to economic and other opportunity, health and wellness, quality of life?

● How can Shawnee County residents and elected officials impact the situation in positive ways?

Panelists will include:

● Sasha Haehn. Director of Neighborhood Relations, City of Topeka, KS

● Brett Berry, Topeka Attorney & former judge pro tem with the Shawnee County District Court

● Minister Doug Smith of Gethsemane Worship Center & Co-Chair of Topeka JUMP

● Teresa Baker, Tenant/Landlord Program Manager Housing and Credit Counseling Inc

Program Committee Members are Bill Beachy, Luis Estrada, Teresa Leslie-Canty, Judy Moler, and Greg Monaco.