Lorain City Council voted Monday to approve the city's 2025'029 consolidated plan and the 2025 annual action plan, authorizing the mayor to submit applications for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnerships funding and to accept any awards.

The plan lays out housing- and community-development priorities identified through an online survey that ran Feb. 13'024 to May 13'024 (129 unduplicated, completed responses), a series of planning workshops and work performed under a competitive contract with Fourth Economy. Council adopted the plan by ordinance after a motion to suspend the rules and a subsequent passage vote.

The consolidated-plan goals emphasize affordable housing, removal of blight, homelessness services, neighborhood economic development and supports for seniors and people with special needs. The council-approved 2025 allocations listed in the plan are $1,403,710 in anticipated CDBG funds and $547,901.90 in anticipated HOME funds, a combined total of just over $1.9 million.

City staff said planned uses in the 2025 action plan include administrative costs; economic development lending through the 360 Business Loan Program; housing programs such as an Essential Home Repair and lead-abatement program; public-facility improvements including work at Longfellow Park and street improvements; nonprofit public services (an emergency service fund and housing counseling); and HOME-specific activities including mandatory CHDO set-aside, owner-occupied rehabilitation and a newly launched down-payment assistance program.

"Federal regulations require us to hold public meetings and prepare plans for how we are utilizing CDBG and HOME funds," said Hannah Corelli, program manager of community and economic development, summarizing the federal compliance function of the plan. "We conducted an online survey, planning workshops, [and] worked with Fourth Economy through a competitive RFP process. They were able to provide a comprehensive housing strategy as well as a fair housing impediment study."

At council's request, Meg Kuzner, the city's building, housing and planning director, summarized existing housing programs: the Essential Home Repair program provides income-eligible households up to $15,000 for repairs, and the full home-rehab program can provide up to $75,000 for owner-occupied households, both designed to preserve existing affordable housing and prevent displacement.

Council discussion touched on housing stock composition, the share of rental properties, and the city's strategy to expand both affordable rental and homeownership opportunities through partnerships (including Habitat for Humanity and regional housing organizations) and through state tax-credit and other funding sources.

The ordinance the council passed also authorizes the director of public safety and service to enter into contracts and appropriates the expected funds consistent with attached budgets. The ordinance cites the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 and the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act of 1990 as authorities for requests for federal assistance.