On Tenants’ Rights & Collaboration

Earlier this week, I attended the Wichita City Council meeting, as I’ve tried to do throughout this campaign. The discussion on strengthening tenant protections underscored something I’ve long believed: there’s both a need and an appetite for collaboration.

In local governance as in life, few issues are black and white. Our community’s challenges often require a “yes/and” mindset.

Here’s what I know: renters deserve strong protections and clear rights—and this ordinance represents an important step forward. But if we want truly effective housing policy, we need everyone at the table. Landlords and tenants must continue sharing their experiences and insights, just as they’ve done in conversations since 2022.

I remember when former Council Member LaVonta Williams championed stronger tenant rights in 2015 after reports of residents living in unsafe, inhumane conditions—black mold, broken air conditioning in record heat, and homes without heat or running water. While those cases represent only a small fraction of landlords citywide, negligent landlords do exist and must be held accountable. Encouragingly, at this week’s meeting, both tenants and landlords voiced that same belief.

There’s clearly a shared desire for inclusion and collaboration in policymaking, especially from those most affected by the outcomes. I will continue to champion that approach—because policy is strongest when it’s shaped by the people it impacts. That means ensuring renters and landlords alike have a front-row seat in shaping housing policy and that engagement opportunities are scheduled at times accessible to working families.

The City Chambers were full, which was inspiring. But I couldn’t help thinking about the tenants who may have wanted to attend but couldn’t—whether due to work schedules or fear of retaliation.

Bringing people with different lived experiences together takes time, empathy, and leadership grounded in experience. I’m proud to have that background, and I know it’s what’s needed to tackle complex challenges like housing, youth crime, homelessness, and economic opportunity.

District 1 deserves a leader who listens, learns, and leads with the community. I’m ready to do that work—to focus on the kitchen table issues that matter most and move Wichita onward together.

If you’re ready to bring hope, help, and meaningful progress to Wichita, please vote Shepard on or before November 4th.