BBB warns area consumers to be wary of Kansas City non-profit seeking new members

ST. LOUIS, Mo. – Better Business Bureau advises area consumers to use extreme caution when considering membership with Vinelanders Community Land Trust Inc., a Kansas City-based non-profit organization that bills itself as “the first Self-Build Community Land Trust Organization in the nation.”

Vinelanders recently conducted a membership recruitment presentation in East St. Louis and is actively seeking members in the greater St. Louis area. The organization promises members they will be able to lease housing through the program.

According to the membership agreement, those who participate pay “self-build monthly dues of $10 which support the community purchase of land, cads (blue prints), and office operation expense, and in house educational workshops.” Neither the monthly dues nor the registration fee are refundable.

On marketing material posted on its website, the group says “with us no credit check, no background check, no down payment, and you can get a new house with a felony and eviction on your credit report.”

According to a recent media report in Kansas City, the organization has not built any homes since its formation more than eight years ago.

“It appears that no one is benefiting from this program other than those who set it up,” said Michelle L. Corey, BBB St. Louis president and CEO. “The organization doesn’t seem to be serving its purpose. Those in the St. Louis area who are approached by this group need to consider its track record before giving away their hard-earned money.”

Based on reports made to BBB, in the membership drive held at an East St. Louis community center, prospective participants were given a four-page membership packet. The program is open to adults 21 and older. The group claims to have “over 150 movine (sic) ready new homes” available to program participants. Prospective members were asked in which city in Missouri or Illinois they preferred to live.

An East St. Louis woman who attended the membership drive spoke with BBB. She estimated more than 200 people were in attendance for the event, which filled a gymnasium inside the community center. She said she was attracted to the program because of its low cost.

“I have been living in Section 8 housing for 11 years,” the woman said. “I want to get out, and this sounds like a good deal.”

The woman said those in attendance were told the organization wanted to collect $30,000 from St. Louis area residents before it would begin to buy property and build homes. The woman said attendees were told by Vinelanders organizers that once they moved into a residence, they would not have to pay taxes on it for six years.

The woman said Vinelanders took money orders for registration fees from many in attendance, and the organization sought voided checks and credit card numbers for automatic withdrawal of monthly fees. The woman said she has balked at signing up for the program.

“She said some things that raised some red flags,” the woman said of the presenter. “When people asked what I thought were good questions, she just sidestepped them.”

The woman said the presentation was made by Alice “Allie” Goodlow. Goodlow founded Vinelanders in March 2010. She is listed as the group’s founder/executive director on its latest IRS documents.

According to IRS filings, the organization spent little on program services between 2013 and 2016, the latest reporting years available. During that timeframe, the organization reported revenues of just over $175,000. It paid $79,504 in salaries, $56,498 in rent, utilities and maintenance and $28,280 for professional fees and payments to independent contractors.

In its 2016 filing, the group reported it had $2,940 in land and buildings.

BBB spoke with a Kansas City woman who was a member of Vinelanders in 2015. The woman filed a complaint with BBB, seeking a refund of her money after she had second thoughts about joining.

“I thought to myself, ‘This is not real,’” the woman told BBB. “Anyone who questioned Mrs. Goodlow was met with resistance.”

Referred to the program by a co-worker, the woman said she didn’t have any reason to question the group at first.

“She makes it sound good,” the woman said of the organization’s presentation. “She shows these pictures of nice houses and puts the Lord in it, but it’s all fake.”

The woman told BBB she would not encourage St. Louis area residents to participate in Vinelanders’ program.

“She is preying on a specific group of individuals who won’t do their due diligence and fact-check her,” the woman told BBB.

The woman’s complaint was one of three filed against the organization. Other complainants allege the organization was not forthcoming with information about the home-construction progress.

According to its mission statement, Vinelanders was “established for the sole purpose of providing homes for the deprived lower and middle income urban residents in Kansas City, Missouri, and Kansas City, Kansas. We are a 501c3 non-profit organization that incorporates the self-build concept, and our mission is to build affordable eco-friendly homes.”

BBB attempts to reach the organization by phone failed, but Goodlow did respond to a BBB email which asked various questions about the organization’s operations. Goodlow did not answer any of the questions, but issued a statement.

“As you are aware the organization (VCLT) does not have an office in your city,” Goodlow wrote. “I’m within my rights to recruit members and do public presentations in targeted demographics that fit the economic profile of the community land trust mission statement. Therefore I have committed no wrong and refute this alleged allegation. In conclusion you should be aware your questions presented in your communication to me is public records in which I do not need to concur with written validations.”

According to Missouri secretary of state filings, Goodlow and her husband, Stanley, own three other businesses. Alice Goodlow is the registered agent for Self Build Matters LLC and Self Builders of North America, LLC, while Stanley Goodlow is the registered agent for Goodlow LLC.

Goodlow promotes the organization through her personal Facebook page and the organization has its own Facebook presence with more than 350 followers. It also has a website. According to its website, the organization moved into a new location near Kansas City’s Power and Light District on July 1.

BBB offers the following tips on making charity donations:

— Research any charity before giving any money. Check the organization’s profile at give.org or by calling 888-996-3887.

— Press for specifics. Ask how your donation is going to be used. Find out how much goes to program services.

— Check for the basics. A charity’s mission, program and finances should be available on its website.

— Pay by credit card whenever possible in case you need to challenge the donation.

— Make sure the organization truly is tax exempt. Consumers can check an organization’s tax status by visiting the IRS website.