The Unified Government of Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas, has announced the appointment of DeWayne Bright Sr. as a FUSE Corps Executive Fellow to support an economic sustainability through affordable housing initiative.
“Addressing housing is critical to our economic success,” said Interim County Administrator Cheryl Harrison-Lee. “Mr. Bright will be joining our team as we kick-off our UG Forward economic development strategic plan and comprehensive citywide plan. He will be instrumental in helping us establish a much-needed framework to ensure that our growth is complemented with quality housing stock that is accessible and affordable to our community.”
The Unified Government of Kansas City and Wyandotte County is currently working to increase affordable housing options to address the rising housing shortage crisis and increase the city’s workforce and economic development potential as well as the well-being of its citizens, according to a spokesman. The FUSE Executive Fellow Housing Coordinator will help research and design a cohesive housing development strategy that will help increase housing affordability and availability, encourage housing retention in vulnerable neighborhoods, and maximize local economic effects on building owners, residents and businesses.
Bright is joining the Unified Government after spending the last 15 years with the Greater Kansas City Local Investment Commission where he worked to provide independent living skills and resources for youth in foster care, coordinated caring community sites across three school districts, and developed programs and services for youth and young adults.
This is the first time that the Unified Government has partnered with FUSE to hold an executive fellowship. The fellowship kicks off officially on Oct. 31. However, Bright will be participating in the closing plenary panel at the Wyandotte County Housing Summit on Wednesday, Oct. 19. The fourth annual event will be held at the HyVee Arena from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and will include discussions on land trusts, tenant’s rights and responsibilities, LGBTQ+ housing, healthy and safe communities, land bank and housing choices for an aging community. There will be a reception following the panel where drinks and appetizers will be served. For more information, visit https://www.wycokck.org/Engage-With-Us/Calendar-of-Events/Wyandotte-County-Housing-Summit.