City of Lawrence Community Development Block Grant

The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program in Lawrence, Kansas is part of a longstanding federal initiative funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Designed to serve low- and moderate-income populations, the CDBG program supports a range of community development activities. In Lawrence, the City’s Housing Initiatives Division under the Planning & Development Services Department administers the program. Funding is allocated annually and guided by the city’s five-year Consolidated Plan (2023–2027) and the City’s Strategic Plan. For the 2026 program year, the City of Lawrence will make approximately $105,000 available for the competitive Public Service application process and about $120,000 for Non-Public Service activities, though final amounts may vary depending on federal budget outcomes. Eligible projects must align with one of three HUD-defined national objectives: benefiting low- and moderate-income persons, preventing or eliminating slums or blight, or meeting urgent community needs. However, the City of Lawrence currently has no designated slum or blighted areas, so most funded activities must serve LMI populations. Applicants can demonstrate this through area benefit, limited clientele, housing benefit, or job creation/retention that meets the 51% LMI threshold. Examples of eligible Public Service activities include childcare, healthcare, education, employment services, and housing counseling. Non-Public Service activities can include real property acquisition, housing rehabilitation, code enforcement, public improvements, and certain economic development initiatives. CDBG applications must propose an eligible activity, demonstrate benefit to LMI persons, and comply with applicable federal regulations. All projects must undergo environmental review under 24 CFR Part 58 before funds are committed. Applicants must also ensure they do not commit any funds—federal or otherwise—before completion of this review process. The program emphasizes activities that address unmet needs, align with city strategic goals, demonstrate sustainability, and leverage other resources. The application process opens on December 31, 2025 and closes at 5:00 PM on February 2, 2026. Only completed applications submitted by the deadline will be reviewed. Applications must be emailed to the Housing Initiatives Division and include all required documents, such as narrative responses, detailed budgets, board member lists, annual reports, and LEP plans. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered. In cases of minor omissions, applicants may have seven calendar days to submit corrections. Applications must use the city’s required forms. Submissions are reviewed initially by Housing Initiatives staff to verify eligibility and consistency with HUD and city criteria. Scoring is conducted by city staff using a matrix that assesses priorities such as strategic alignment, need, outcomes, budget soundness, and capacity. Recommendations are then forwarded to the City Commission, which makes final award decisions as part of the 2026 Annual Action Plan. Approved activities will begin after the start of the program year on August 1, 2026. Each funded applicant will sign a grant agreement detailing the award amount, contract period, performance obligations, and reporting requirements. Grantees must comply with applicable federal regulations including Title VI and VIII of the Civil Rights Acts, Section 504, ADA, the Davis-Bacon Act (where applicable), and Section 3 provisions for local hiring and training. Subrecipients must maintain compliance documentation, undergo monitoring, and may be subject to HUD audit or review. Technical assistance is available by contacting HousingInitiatives@lawrenceks.gov or calling (785) 832-7700.