Federal aid flows to struggling renters By Jeff Fox The Examiner The Community Services League is working to get federal money for pandemic-related rental assistance into the hands of landlords and utilities, keeping hundreds of local families in their homes. The Jackson County Legislature in late March approved $11 million from Washington to flow into the community via CSL and, for renters’ legal assistance, through the United Way of Greater Kansas City. The Community Services League started taking applications April 5 and by June 24 had taken 2,128 – 60 percent from Independence and 14 percent from Blue Springs, CSL President and CEO Doug Cowan told legislators this week.