Lawrence opens 30‑day public comment on 2025 CDBG and HOME annual action plan

Lawrence city staff on May 6 opened a 30‑day public comment period on the draft 2025 annual action plan for the city’s 2023–2027 consolidated HUD plan and outlined proposed funding priorities for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME) grants.

Brad Farr and Dani Walker from the city’s housing initiatives division briefed the commission and described the draft allocations as preliminary; HUD had not yet announced exact 2025 grant amounts at the time of the presentation. The city used estimated figures for planning: an estimated CDBG total of about $990,000 (base $740,000 plus approximately $100,000 program income and $150,000 reallocated prior funds) and an estimated HOME total of roughly $431,006.39 (base $430,000 plus $1,639 program income).

The Affordable Housing Advisory Board reviewed HOME applications and recommended the following allocations from the draft HOME budget: $240,000 to the Lawrence Douglas County Housing Authority for tenant‑based rental assistance with case management; $127,139 to CHDO (Community Housing Development Organization) project funds; and $21,500 for CHDO operating costs (the HOME program allows up to a 5% CHDO operating set‑aside). On the CDBG side, staff proposed $148,000 for grant administration (the HUD maximum is 20% of the base CDBG grant), $341,000 for city housing initiatives (homeowner rehabilitation, acquisition and other housing activities), $175,000 for other city department capital projects (sidewalk gap repairs, street restoration, parks projects in low‑ and moderate‑income neighborhoods) and $111,000 for public service activities. The city received one public‑service application and staff recommends funding the Lawrence Community Shelter’s stabilization services program.

Competitive CDBG non‑public‑service requests were reviewed by staff and the recommendation was $160,000 for Good Life Innovations to rehabilitate an intensive group home and $55,000 for Lawrence Habitat for Humanity for critical repairs and weatherization assistance.

Farr emphasized that the allocations are contingent on HUD’s final grant award. “When we do receive grant funds, we will adjust the payout recommendations evenly across the grant awards,” he said, and he urged residents and stakeholders to submit written comments during the 30‑day period. The formal public comment window runs through June 7; the commission is scheduled to consider final approval June 10 and the final action plan will be submitted to HUD by June 13.

Why it matters: CDBG and HOME funds support rental assistance, affordable housing development, homeowner repairs and neighborhood capital projects that serve low‑ and moderate‑income residents. The draft plan directs the limited federal dollars toward tenant‑based rental assistance, CHDO set‑asides for affordable housing development, housing rehabilitation and targeted public services.

How to comment: Written public comments may be emailed to housinginitiatives@lawrenceks.org or delivered to the planning and development services office at City Hall; the city will incorporate public feedback and update allocations if the final HUD award differs from the estimates provided in the draft plan.