We believe safe, dignified housing is a human right.
At Just Action, we’re working to close the gap between Kansas City’s housing supply and the people who need it most. As housing costs rise and the market prioritizes profit over people, we’ve chosen a different path.
Instead of relying on ever-increasing rents, we leverage creative tools—like property tax abatements, housing vouchers, public grants, and mission-aligned partnerships—to stabilize rent and preserve home affordability for the long term.
Meet the Team
Kate Hopkins
Co-Founder
Kate brings nearly 20 years of experience in renewable energy development, where she helped lease tens of thousands of acres for wind, solar, battery, and hydrogen projects. Her work often brought major benefits to communities like improved infrastructure, local jobs, and new revenue for schools—and it sparked her passion for place-based investment.
After earning an MBA with a focus in Real Estate from the UMKC Bloch School in 2018, Kate co-launched a real estate venture with her dad, focused on rehabilitating vacant homes in Kansas City’s urban core. Today, she’s bringing that same passion and strategy to the housing space full-time – fighting for affordability, equity, and sustainability in the communities she loves.
Mike Valentine
Co-Founder
Mike spent over 45 years in technology and software sales, where he earned a reputation for deeply listening to clients and delivering tailored solutions. After retiring in 2020, he moved to Kansas City to be close to family—and to begin a new chapter focused on impact.
Having grown up in a two-bedroom apartment shared by six family members, Mike understands what housing insecurity feels like. His father was a building superintendent, and Mike grew up watching him maintain and care for the homes of others. That early exposure to property stewardship, paired with a lifelong love for home improvement, now fuels his passion for creating paths to ownership for working families like his.