Lawrence city commissioners on Tuesday unanimously took another step toward providing the Lawrence Community Shelter a $725,000 loan.

City commissioners directed City Manager David Corliss to begin preparing a mortgage that could be placed on the homeless shelter’s facility at 3701 Franklin Park Circle. The shelter provides emergency housing and services to address the causes of homelessness.

Commissioners last month were split on whether they should place a mortgage on the property to secure the city’s interests in case the shelter defaulted on the loan. But on Tuesday all five commissioners said they were fine with a placing a mortgage on the real estate, in part because the shelter’s board did not object.

The loan, which will be interest free on the first $225,000 and then will carry a 2 percent rate on the rest, will replace a construction loan that is coming due at a local bank later this year.

The loan also will fund major roof repairs. Shelter leaders said there are numerous leaks in the roof. Board Chairman John Tacha told commissioners that the warranty on the roof, which is less than 20 years old, was purchased through the installer, who has gone bankrupt.

Commissioners will consider giving final approval to the loan documents in the next few weeks.