Councilwoman Melissa Patterson Hazley, representing Kansas City’s 3rd District at Large, has established herself as a passionate advocate for her community. With a background in educational psychology and a commitment to addressing economic disparities, she is working tirelessly to elevate the voices of the most marginalized populations in her district.
Dr. Patterson Hazley’s professional experience speaks to her dedication to closing gaps for under-resourced communities. As an educational psychologist and research professional, her focus has been evaluating and addressing disparities in healthcare access for African American youth with intellectual or developmental disabilities. This work, in partnership with UMKC Institute for Human Development and Children’s Mercy Hospital, highlights her commitment to using research and data to drive policy that supports those who have been historically underserved.
In her role as a city council member, she brings the same dedication to creating change through innovative and high-impact policies, having worked on ballot initiatives including earnings tax and health levy renewals.
Building affordable houses on the thousands of abandoned lots in underpopulated communities was a primary objective for Patterson Hazley when she ran for office in 2023. True to her word, just four days into office she gathered a group at City Hall to brainstorm solutions. After subsequent meetings that also included neighborhood leaders as well as architects, engineers and developers, the Housing Accelerator program was born. The Washington Wheatley neighborhood was chosen to pilot the program. Patterson Hazley grew up near the area, has a personal connection to it and an innate understanding of its challenges.
“The Housing Accelerator really came from me driving from home to work at UMKC and I counted about 14 vacant lots just on that short drive,” Patterson-Hazley recalled.
The Housing Accelerator is designed to quickly bring development to these vacant lots, streamlining the process for developers by offering the land for just $1 per lot. In return, developers must complete their housing projects within 18 months, creating a sense of urgency to produce results that benefit the community.
The Washington Wheatley neighborhood is emblematic of the redlining history that has left many urban communities underdeveloped and disenfranchised. Through the Housing Accelerator, Patterson Hazley aims to reverse the long-standing patterns of neglect. By encouraging affordable housing development and providing educational workshops for residents, she is empowering both developers and neighbors to invest in the future of their neighborhood.
Patterson Hazley is driven to spur affordable housing, equity and economic growth in Kansas City. Whether it is through her advocacy for housing, her commitment to marginalized communities or her efforts to close gaps in healthcare and economic opportunity, she is setting a powerful example of how local leadership can have a direct and positive impact on the lives of constituents.