Wendell Phillips
The Wendell Phillips neighborhood has a rich cultural history in the urban heart of Kansas City but has experienced a decline in population and long periods of disinvestment. Still, today, it brims with historic landmarks – being near the 18th and Vine district that includes the American Jazz Museum, Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, Black Archives, and Mutual Musicians Foundation.
The holistic plan that was spearheaded by the Wendell Phillips Neighborhood Association, Habitat KC and the Urban Neighborhood Initiative (UNI), involves a mixture of incomes, land uses and housing types. Habitat KC is the single-family housing partner in the project and has committed to building more than 30 new construction homes over the next five years. Additionally, we are is working with existing homeowners to provide minor and critical home repairs through our Home Preservation Program.
Our homes will be complemented with office space and flex space to support minority-owned businesses. They also will be complemented with a townhome development that UNI and Brinshore (for-profit developer) are close to breaking ground on.
“Everyday tasks like showering and cooking are difficult when your home is not equipped for people with disabilities.” — Tony Waterhouse, future Habitat KC homeowner
In partnership with The Whole Person, this Wendell Phillips homeowner is building an accessible home that accommodates his unique needs and will allow him to live a fuller life.
Changing neighborhoods, changing lives
The Wendell Phillips neighborhood is one of 15 Purpose Built Communities in the US.
Founded in 2009, Purpose Built Communities connect community leaders with resources and partner organizations that share a vision to make holistic, at-scale investments in defined neighborhoods to achieve excellent and equitable outcomes for the people who live there.
Use the button below to learn more about Purpose Built Communities and their network of communities across the United States.
Neighborhood Highlights
Parks and Recreation
Employment and Education
Top employment in the neighborhood includes health and social services, managerial services and the warehouse industry.Faith and Social Services
10 churches are within the neighborhood including Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
More than a dozen social service centers for youth, seniors, veterans and families.
Get Involved
Together, we’ll build a Kansas City community where everyone has a safe, decent and affordable place to call home.