{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-cleaver-returns-urban-neighborhood-initiatives-community", "Congressman Cleaver Returns to Urban Neighborhood Initiative\u2019s Community Project Funding Site to Celebrate Progress on Transformative Housing Project", "2025-07-28", "2025", "2025-07", "Democrat", "House", "MO", "Emanuel Cleaver", "C001061", "cleaver.house.gov", "cleaver", "https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "(Kansas City, MO) \u2013 Yesterday, U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver (D-MO) returned to the site of the Urban Neighborhood Initiative\u2019s (UNI) major redevelopment project in the heart of Kansas City, marking a powerful moment of progress since helping secure $4 million in Community Project Funding for the project. The visit is the Congressman\u2019s first since the ceremonial groundbreaking last fall and comes as UNI moves forward with the development of 100 new single-family homes \u2013 part of a broader strategy to strengthen neighborhoods, create generational opportunity, and reverse decades of divestment.\n\n\u201cToday is a reminder that real progress takes vision, partnership, and persistence,\u201d said Congressman Cleaver. \u201cWhen UNI broke ground last fall, they laid more than concrete \u2013 they laid the foundation for hope, stability, and opportunity. Now, as these homes begin to rise, so does the promise of a stronger, more connected community where deserving families can plant roots and build a future with dignity. This moment affirms what can be accomplished when we invest in housing as a foundation for opportunity, equity, and long-term community well-being.\u201d\n\n\u201cThis initiative reflects UNI\u2019s deep commitment to restoring neighborhoods through intentional investment and opportunity,\u201d said Dr. Jamee Rodgers, President and CEO of the Urban Neighborhood Initiative. \u201cThe return of Congressman Cleaver underscores the power of collaborative leadership. These new homes are more than structures; they are symbols of stability, hope, and long overdue progress for families in our urban core. We are honored to lead this work on behalf of the community we serve.\u201d\n\nUNI\u2019s pilot program, in partnership with Driven Development, will provide 100 affordable homes to families in underserved communities under a financing structure that promotes resident wealth accumulation through ultimate homeownership. The $4 million in Community Project Funding was one of fifteen projects Congressman Cleaver championed in Congress in 2022, securing nearly $39,250,000 in federal funding for Fiscal Year 2023 that directly benefits constituents in Missouri\u2019s Fifth Congressional District.\n\nPhotos from yesterday\u2019s visit can be found here.\n\nEmanuel Cleaver, II is the U.S. Representative for Missouri's Fifth Congressional District, which includes Kansas City, Independence, Lee's Summit, Raytown, Grandview, Sugar Creek, Greenwood, Blue Springs, North Kansas City, Gladstone, and Claycomo. He is a member of the exclusive House Financial Services Committee and Ranking Member of the House Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T14:40:33Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-cleaver-returns-urban-neighborhood-initiatives-community"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 0.9271111339330673, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}