Spencer Fane attorney Gavriel (Gavri) Schreiber recently co-authored an article with Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas, whom he formerly served as general counsel to, in the American Bar Association’s (ABA) Human Rights Magazine. The article, “Building Consensus, Building Homes: Kansas City’s Approach to Housing Justice,” examines housing challenges facing Kansas City residents and how complex, multifactor problems related to affordable housing require integrated policy solutions.
Gavri and Mayor Lucas approach the topic from a comprehensive human rights lens, stating plainly, “Housing affects everything.” From health care to accessible school systems to work commutes, the duo details the profound impact an unstable housing system can have on a city’s residents and broader infrastructure, also highlighting the important role of individual constituents sharing their stories.
Recently, after an amended anti-discrimination ordinance passed in Kansas City, the Missouri state legislature swiftly voided the local ordinance by passing an overriding state law. In examining opportunities that work around this impasse, Gavri and Mayor Lucas present a key framework as the city moves forward: building new housing, especially through public-private partnerships that emphasize economic development.
As they explain, new housing developments “generate jobs, attract federal investment, leverage private capital, and produce tangible improvements that politicians across the ideological spectrum can celebrate.” They underscore the potential for dual housing-health care system projects following noteworthy success in 2024.
At the firm, Gavri creates innovative solutions for clients navigating complex governmental processes and high-stakes transactions, from developers and corporations to nonprofits and municipalities. Drawing on his experience as general counsel to Kansas City’s mayor, he brings a fresh perspective and creative problem-solving to challenging matters, including public-private partnership transactions, appellate litigation, development projects requiring innovation, broad-based stakeholder engagement, and strategic relationships across multiple levels of government.
Read the full article on the ABA’s website here.