Arvada reviews Jefferson County consolidated plan; city programs target housing repairs and a Goldstrike Park playscape

Arvada City Council opened a public hearing May 6 on the draft Jefferson County consolidated plan and the 2025 annual action plan for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME program, a staff presentation said.

Housing manager Miss Espinosa told council the consolidated plan is required by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and that Jefferson County, Lakewood and Arvada have prepared the plan as the Jefferson County Consortium. The plan uses data and outreach to set five-year goals and to allocate annual CDBG and HOME funding to projects and public services.

Key figures and local programs mentioned at the hearing: Jefferson County’s typical annual CDBG allocation is about $1,050,000; the draft shows $450,000 for Arvada and $900,000 for Lakewood. The draft allocates $242,500 for parks and recreation work identified as the Goldstrike Park playscape purchase. Jefferson County, as lead for the HOME consortium, anticipates approximately $1,000,000 in HOME funds over the next five years to support construction, rehabilitation and housing assistance in the consortium area, Espinosa said.

The city’s housing division described several locally available programs that would use CDBG or HOME funding: the Essential Home Repairs program (administered in partnership with Brothers Redevelopment) provides up to $20,000 in grant funds for critical home repairs; a separate Safe and Accessible Arvada program offers up to $5,000 for accessibility improvements. Espinosa said nonprofits that provide services to low- and moderate-income Arvada residents may apply for public-service grants under CDBG (the program allows up to 15% of annual funding for public services) and that the competitive application typically opens in August.

Council asked for clarification on the park allocation and on how residents apply for home-repair assistance. Espinosa said the $242,500 is planned for acquisition of a playscape for Goldstrike Park and that residents may contact Brothers Redevelopment or the city’s housing division to apply for home-repair assistance.

No public commenters spoke on the consolidated plan during the hearing; the council closed the hearing after receiving questions and comments. City staff said comments received during the public review period (April 16–May 17) will be reviewed and considered for the final consolidated plan to be submitted to HUD in late May or early June.

Ending: the consolidated plan sets priorities for affordable housing, neighborhood improvements and human services; staff said final allocations and program details may be adjusted after the public-comment period and before submission to HUD.