MEMORANDUM

City of Lawrence

Planning and Development Services Department

TO:              David L. Corliss, City Manager

FROM:         Margene K. Swarts, Assistant Director, Development Services

CC:              Scott McCullough, Director, Planning and Development Services

DATE:           April 21, 2010

RE:              2010 CDBG/HOME Allocations

The City of Lawrence has received notification from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) regarding the FY 2010 CDBG and HOME Allocations.  These grants are funded through the office of Community Planning and Development’s (CPD’s) formula programs.  The amounts for Lawrence are: 

Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)      $873,534

HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME)  $692,784

The CDBG allocation is increased this year from last year by $65,760; however the HOME allocation was reduced by $3,121.  The Community Development Advisory Committee (CDAC) has been meeting regularly to review applications in preparation for a recommendation of allocations to the City Commission.  A Public Hearing was conducted on April 8, 2010 and the CDAC is finalizing the details of the recommendation.  It is anticipated that item will be on the May 4, 2010 City Commission meeting agenda. 

In addition to notification of the allocation, the announcement highlighted two important issues during this funding cycle.  HUD is urging grantees to consider the needs of returning veterans and their families in the design and administration of these programs as many are finding it difficult to find housing and/or support themselves and their families.  The City of Lawrence has long been cognizant of the need to use CDBG and HOME funding to help those in the community that are less fortunate.  The proposed allocations for FY 2010 includes continued funding for various homeownership and housing rehabilitation programs (including energy improvements), funding for various public service agencies such as Housing and Credit Counseling, Inc., Lawrence Community Shelter, and The Salvation Army, as well as improvements to low and moderate-income neighborhoods and subsequent support of those neighborhood associations.  

The second item was a reminder to complete performance measurement data to enable proper reporting to Congress, Office of Management and Budget (OMB), and the public at large.  The City of Lawrence has been and continues to regularly report performance measure objectives and outcomes in the HUD Integrated Disbursement and Information System (IDIS).   

Attached is a spreadsheet indicating CDBG and HOME allocations for the City of Lawrence for the past decade.  If you have further questions, please let me know.

C D B G / H O M E    A L L O C A T I O N    H I S T O R Y (2000 - Present)

* American Dream Downpayment Initiative

** Information from the HUD office indicated that Lawrence, Topeka, and KCKS are not receiving                       allocations under the ADDI program this year.  HUD office personnel have not received official confirmation, but they believe it most likely due to the lower ADDI appropriation and the formula requirement that a grantee have a minimum population of 150,000 or achieve a formula allocation of $50,000.  Unless the ADDI formula changes, no additional ADDI funds will be received.