photo by: City of Lawrence

A City of Lawrence collage shows various projects or organizations that have been funded by federal community development and housing grants.

Lawrence city leaders will soon hold a public hearing regarding the recommended allocation of $1.55 million in federal community development and housing grants.

As part of its meeting Tuesday, the Lawrence City Commission will receive funding recommendations for the 2022 Community Development Block Grant and HOME Investment Partnership. The commission will hold a public hearing regarding the recommendations and the 2022 annual action plan.

The recommended allocations include funding for weatherization grants, sidewalk gaps, rental assistance, and various other programs. The recommended allocations are as follows:

Community Development Block Grant Public Services

•Housing and Credit Counseling: $5,000 for housing and financial counseling

•Housing Stabilization Collaborative: $45,650 for emergency rent/utility assistance

•The Lawrence Community Shelter: $50,850 for shelter guest stabilization services

•The Willow Domestic Violence Center: $11,000 for community housing case management

Community Development Block Grant Non-Public Services

•City of Lawrence: $678,075 for various department projects. Potential city projects include the sidewalk gap program; traffic markings for the East Lawrence Neighborhood Association; neighborhood park restrooms; and funding for weatherization, emergency loans, furnace loans, and house rehabilitation for owner-occupied housing.

•GoodLife Innovations: $159,425 to replace doors/windows in residential facilities

Community Development Block Grant Administration

•City of Lawrence Housing Initiatives Division: $150,000 for administration of CDBG

HOME Investment Partnerships Program

•Lawrence-Douglas County Housing Authority: $240,000 for tenant based rental assistance

•Community Housing Development Organization: set-aside of $67,500

•Community Housing Development Organization: $22,500 for operating expenses

•First-Time Homebuyer Program: $75,000

•City of Lawrence Housing Initiatives Division: $450,000 for administration of HOME

The city is required to conduct at least two public hearings per year to obtain public comment, and to respond to proposals and questions, according to a city staff memo to the commission. The city’s Affordable Housing Advisory Board will hold the second public hearing during the fall to look at the results of the 2021 program and the planning process for 2023-2027.

All of the agency applications received that were considered for the 2022 program year can be found on the city’s website, lawrenceks.org/pds/CDBG/. The public hearing will be followed by a 30-day public comment period, after which the commission will consider approving the final recommendation in June.

In other business, the commission will consider a resolution to appoint a steering committee for the city’s upcoming update of its land development code. The code guides allowed land uses, building density, parking requirements and various other aspects of development and has not been updated since 2006. The commission recently authorized a contract with Clarion Associates in the amount of $383,650 to provide consulting services for the update, and the committee will advise, review, and provide feedback to the consultant as part of the process.

The Lawrence City Commission will convene at 5:45 p.m. Tuesday at City Hall, 6 E. Sixth St.