Westside Housing Organization

Pros

• Westside Housing staff are sensitive, caring, professional, and courteous.
• Westside Housing carefully selects and manages the roofing contractor for repairs.
• The office staff are very nice and considerate.
• Maintenance is good, and the maintenance staff are friendly.
• They exterminate pests every 90 days, which is appreciated.
• Some properties have community gardens for residents that they help out with.
• Overall, the properties are very well cared for and in good condition with many updates.

Cons

• The house was in bad shape and the contractor did a horrible job.
• The roof had a hole and was simply covered with shingles.
• The foundation is very weak and the house is tilting toward the north end.
• The inspector allegedly only has to check 25 issues to pass the inspection.
• The court system is described as corrupt.
• The landlords are incompetent and do not address problems, with residents told to call the police.
• Management is said to have no clue what they are doing and would not be trusted.
• One reviewer warns others not to trust these people and calls them unprofessional.

Review

The set of comments about Westside Housing Organization paints a complex and unsettled picture, with voices ranging from severe frustration to sincere appreciation. On the negative side, a number of residents and former buyers describe experiences that center on serious doubts about quality, safety, and trust. One account recounts a purchase that left the buyer convinced the house was in seriously bad shape as of October 30, 2021. They claim the sellers did a "horrible job" and that the home needed inspections because the inspector only had to check a limited number of items. The description escalates into specifics: linoleum laid over old boards, a roof with an obvious hole covered by shingles, and a foundation that is described as "very weak" and tipping toward the north end of the house. The speaker urges others to inspect the property themselves before buying and even suggests renting in Missouri as a safer alternative, highlighting concerns about gunfire, homelessness, and trash in the area, which they attribute to a per-bag trash policy that leads to dumping elsewhere. In their view, the entire purchase was a mistake and they express vigilance about engaging in real estate transactions in that market.

Interwoven with these sharp warnings are accounts that acknowledge both risk and resilience. Another review clearly signals a mixed verdict: despite serious concerns about repairs and construction, there is at least some gratitude when help is requested, as one commenter notes that "when we needed a walk in shower they were there to help us out." This line stands out as a counterpoint to the more devastating descriptions of home conditions, suggesting that not all interactions with the organization are uniformly negative and that some residents do experience timely assistance with specific needs.

A recurring thread in the commentary concerns the management side of things and how problems are addressed. Several voices point to a perceived lack of competence or attention from landlords and managers, with statements such as "the landlords have no idea what they are doing" and "don't take care of problems in their units," adding that residents are told to call the police for any issue. Another contributor amplifies this sentiment, asserting that the management team "has no clue what they are doing" and that they would not recommend or trust the organization with housing projects. Yet this critique sits alongside other remarks that characterize staff in a more favorable light, indicating a divided perception of the same organization.

In contrast to the darker assessments, there are vivid testimonials of a responsive and organized response to emergencies. One resident recounts a rooftop leak that worsened after heavy rain and credits Westside Housing Organization with guiding them through a process that took about three months to replace the roof. The praise centers on professional handling: "sensitive, caring, professional and courteous staff" who managed the roofing contractor and coordinated the replacement. The speaker closes with a strong affirmation of satisfaction, expressing that they are "totally satisfied" with the new roof and thanking the staff involved. This narrative emphasizes that, even amid broader criticisms, the organization can deliver tangible, timely relief in urgent situations.

Another facet of the conversation touches on funding and scope. A commenter notes that the organization "receives many thousands of dollars from the City residents in their area," suggesting that the financial footprint of the organization is substantial relative to other neighborhoods. The underlying tone here is skeptical - implying concerns about where money goes and whether it translates into meaningful improvements for residents. This point threads into the broader debate about effectiveness and accountability, reinforcing the sense that expectations for outcomes are high and that public funding scrutiny is a live, ongoing concern.

Overall, the collection of reviews presents a tapestry of lived experiences that vary greatly from one person to the next. Some residents describe serious construction and safety issues, a sense of risk when buying or renting, and frustration with court outcomes or perceived corruption. Others highlight moments of practical support, from quick repairs and responsive management to a successfully completed roof replacement funded and overseen by the organization. There are also persistent questions about maintenance quality, management competence, and the fair distribution of resources, amplified by contrasting statements that paint staff either as capable and kind or as unprofessional or out of touch.

Despite the divergence in tone, a common thread is clear: the relationship between residents and the organization is highly situational. For some, Westside Housing Organization represents a lifeline in emergency repairs and everyday maintenance; for others, it appears to fall short of expectations, with concerns about long-term safety, structural integrity, and the adequacy of oversight. The narratives collectively suggest that anyone considering involvement with the organization - whether buying, renting, or seeking repairs - should proceed with due diligence, seek multiple independent inspections, and weigh both the tangible and reputational factors at play. The stories demonstrate that impactful outcomes can occur, but they also warn that experiences can be uneven and deeply personal, depending on circumstances, units, and the specific staff or contractors involved.

This part of Kansas City, Missouri offers a diverse range of amenities and services that cater to the needs of seniors. With a variety of restaurants, cafes, pharmacies, hospitals, places of worship, and parks within close proximity, residents have easy access to everyday essentials and recreational activities. The area is also home to several healthcare facilities and physicians' offices, ensuring convenient medical care for seniors. Additionally, the presence of public transportation options such as the Amtrak station and KC Streetcar make it easy for seniors to travel around the city. Overall, this neighborhood provides a comfortable and convenient environment for seniors looking to settle down in Kansas City.

Restaurants

• Pierpont's at Union Station (0.6 miles)
• Blue Bird Bistro (0.6 miles)
• Longboards Wraps & Bowls (0.8 miles)
• Taps on Main (0.9 miles)
• Casual Animal Brewing Company (1 miles)
• Grinders (1.1 miles)
• RecordBar (1.1 miles)

Transportation

• Amtrak Kansas City - Union Station (0.6 miles)
• KC Streetcar (0.6 miles)

Cafes

• Mildred's (0.7 miles)
• Panera Bread (0.8 miles)
• Messenger Coffee Co. (1 miles)
• Filling Station (1.2 miles)
• Billie's Grocery (1.4 miles)
• Blip Roasters (1.7 miles)
• Broadway Cafe (2.2 miles)

Parks

• Washington Square Park (0.7 miles)
• Bar K Dog Bar (2.3 miles)
• Historic Hyde Park (2.4 miles)
• Central Park (3 miles)
• Loose Park (3.5 miles)
• Budd Park (4.4 miles)
• Swope Park (5.7 miles)

Hospitals

• Children's Mercy Research Institute (1 miles)
• Truman Medical Center (1.1 miles)
• Cambridge A Pre/Post (1.9 miles)
• Saint Luke's Hospital of Kansas City (2.5 miles)
• Kansas City VA Medical Center : Midwest Biomedical Research (4 miles)
• North Kansas City Hospital (5.1 miles)

Places of Worship

• Resurrection Downtown (1.1 miles)
• Trinity United Methodist Church (1.7 miles)
• Central United Methodist Church (3.6 miles)
• North Cross United Methodist Church (6.9 miles)

Pharmacies

• Costco 0375 (1.4 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.5 miles)
• Walgreens (1.9 miles)
• The University of Kansas Hospital Cambridge Tower A Pharmacy (1.9 miles)
• The University of Kansas Hospital Cambridge Tower A Retail Pharmacy (1.9 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2 miles)
• Sun Fresh (2 miles)

Physicians

• KC CARE Health Center (1.5 miles)
• Mill Creek Park (2.6 miles)
• Vibrant Health - Wyandotte Neighborhood Clinics (2.7 miles)
• The University of Kansas Hospital - Westwood Campus (3.6 miles)
• Orthopedic Health of Kansas City formerly Drisko, Fee & Parkins ( DFP ) - North Kansas City (4.7 miles)
• John D. Eatman, MD (5.1 miles)
• Graham Bruce D (5.1 miles)