This Consolidated Plan establishes Lawrence's long-range strategy and five year investment plan for community development, housing and homeless services. It allocates federal resources from the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and the Home Investment Partnerships (HOME) Programs. The plan also identifies other local and federal resources that will be used to carry out the long range strategy.
In order to construct a document which would articulate the needs
of the various populations and interests of the community, the Housing and
Neighborhood Development Department (HAND) developed an extensive citizen
participation process. Included in this process were two public hearings to
solicit public comment. The first hearing was held May 8, 1995, at the South
Park Recreation Center, 1141 Massachusetts Street. This hearing was held before
the CDBG Advisory Committee and the newly created Housing Advisory Council. The
second hearing was held before the City Commission on May 16, 1995, during
their regularly scheduled City Commission meeting. Approximately 25 interested
citizens attended each hearing and a summary of citizen comments is included in
the full document of the Consolidated Plan. The Plan was submitted to the
Kansas City HUD Field Office on June 16, 1995.
The City of Lawrence is a metropolitan entitlement city of 65,608
people, and is located on the Kansas River. The City is a very active
community, having a great abundance of cultural, ethnic, and academic diversity.
The City has two major universities located within its city limits. The
population of the City grew by 24.4%, or from 52,738 people in 1980 to 65,608
people in 1990. The household population increased by 29% from 1980 to 1990.
This trend is consistent with national averages which indicate that there are
increases in the household formation rate, but that the size of the households
is becoming smaller. Single person owner households grew by 41% and single
person renter households grew by 28%. Small family households grew by 31%
overall, 24% for owners, and 40% for renters. Large family households grew by
18% overall, 7% for owners, and 27% for renters. The 1990 census indicated that
low and moderate income individuals reside in all Census block groups of the
City.
The City of Lawrence has been experiencing a boom in housing construction. This boom began in approximately 1986, and has been consistent since that period of time. Overall, the new construction market in Lawrence reveals a very stable growth market. However, there is a shortage of available funds and mechanisms to initiate new programs fundamental to developing an adequate supply of decent affordable housing and housing support services.
1. Housing Market Conditions: The total housing stock increased from 20,179 units in 1980 to 25,894 units in 1990, or by 28%. Owner occupied units increased by 25%, from 9,049 units in 1980, to 11,345 units in 1990. Renter occupied units increased by 36%, from 9,724 units in 1980, to 13,177 units in 1990. The total number of vacant units decreased by 2% over the decade, from 1,406 units in 1980 to 1,372 units in 1990. Vacant units for rent increased by 5%, from 767 units in 1980, to 810 units in 1990. Vacant units for sale decreased by 36%, from 275 units in 1980, to 177 units in 1990.
2. Affordable Housing Needs: There is currently a great need for affordable housing for all types of populations within the City of Lawrence. Lawrence's large student market, who can double up in housing to make it more affordable, causes rents to rise among the entire housing market. Also, given Lawrence's high Fair Market Rents (FMR), there is a definite shortage of affordable units for low income populations.
3. Homeless Needs: Like many larger urban areas, Lawrence is hampered by a problem of homelessness. According to data examined by the Lawrence Salvation Army for the months of December, January, and February of 1993 and 1994, there are approximately 32 individuals who are repeatedly homeless. The majority of these are single males (29), with approximately two or three females with young children.
4. Public and Assisted Housing Needs: There are approximately 1,420 individuals who live in rental assisted housing in Lawrence. The City's public housing consists of 344 units. There are a total of 412 Section 8 units, 30 HOME vouchers issued from the State of Kansas, 25 HOME vouchers issued from HAND, and 45 vouchers issued to Bert Nash from the State of Kansas. There are a total of 562 other subsidized units. Currently, none of these projects are vacant, and there is a minimum one year waiting list for most. In addition to this Federal assistance in Lawrence, the Douglas County AIDS Project assists HIV+ individuals with finances for shelter. There are a total of 953 renter households that are 62 years of age or older. It is estimated that 794 of these households, or 83.3% of all elderly renter households, can be classified as either low or moderate income. There are a total of 2,649 elderly owner households that are 62 years of age or older. It is estimated that 1303, or 49.1%, can be classified as low or moderate income. The Bert Nash Mental Health Center serves approximately 178 individuals who meet the criteria for SPMI, and 50% of them reside in subsidized housing in the community. Individuals with SPMI occupy 52% of the available Section 8 single-occupancy units in the community, 25% of the single-occupancy units in public housing, and 8% of the total Section 8 program in Douglas County. The Accessible Housing Program of Independence, Inc., assists 10-12 low income, renter households each year by making accessibility modifications. There is a definite need for this type of assistance to continue.
5. Barriers To Affordable Housing: A review of the City of Lawrence housing policy indicates there are no institutional barriers to obtain affordable housing. The City has adopted current editions of the International Conference of Building Officials Building, Uniform Housing, Plumbing, and Mechanical Codes and the National Fire Protection Association National Electrical Code.
6. Fair Housing: The Staff of the Human Relation/Human Resources Department of the City of Lawrence will conduct Fair Housing investigations filed by the general public. This Department will also conduct conciliation activities for early resolution of Fair Housing conflicts and monitor compliance with agreements made relevant to such early resolution. This Department and the HAND will perform other code enforcement activities as may be appropriate with changing needs of the community environment.
7. Lead Based Paint: The City of Lawrence will reduce the number of households which are at risk to lead based paint by ensuring that all federal, state, and local improvement programs for the existing housing stock use only non-lead based paint. After a review of the Lawrence housing stock by the Housing Advisory Council, the City may propose a study group to evaluate Lawrence's lead based paint risks, and to follow any necessary recommendations which this group deems appropriate.
The City of Lawrence has investigated the community development needs of the Lawrence community, and has incorporated the conclusions of the Housing Study Group Report (October, 1994) into this strategy. The largest area of concern for the department is to maintain the level of services provided to the disabled, elderly, and youth. Another critical need is to maintain organizations to provide fair housing counseling. The City currently provides funds for community development needs through the CDBG program.
The Housing and Neighborhood Development Department (HAND) is making needed
changes to the existing institutional structure in order to strengthen the
delivery system of housing services. The City Commission has recently adopted
two ordinances creating a Practitioners Panel and Housing Advisory Council.
These two groups were developed primarily due to the recommendations of the
Housing Study Group. In addition to this, the City of Lawrence is in the
process of adopting an ordinance creating a local Housing Trust Fund, to further
increase opportunities to provide affordable housing. The Housing Trust Fund
can be used to provide gap financing for a variety of housing development
activities.
In order to derive a strategy and priorities for housing and community development, the Housing and Neighborhood Development Department conferred with several public and private agencies and community groups. Housing, housing services, and community development are the primary activities of the Housing and Neighborhood Development Department and the Lawrence Housing Authority. The City views the current strategy as an initial step in the process of creating a cooperative effort between the public sector, the private sector, and community groups for the provision of housing and housing services. This strategy is further complemented by the creation of the Practitioners Panel and the Housing Advisory Council, which will be instrumental in fine tuning housing and community development policy.
The City of Lawrence Housing and Neighborhood Development Department will continue to utilize all federal, state, and local sources listed in the Housing and Community Development Strategic Plan. The HAND continues to investigate all additional funding opportunities. The Housing Authority will continue to utilize all existing housing units and housing vouchers and certificates. The City of Lawrence will continue to investigate funding sources to provide a transitional living center for homeless and at risk populations and expand the capabilities of existing transitional living facilities. The City will continue to submit applications to the Kansas Department of Commerce and Housing to maintain the existing level of homeless service providers, and expand those services where necessary.
The City of Lawrence has traditionally allocated CDBG funds to be used to provide for capital improvements in targeted neighborhoods, and believes that these funds represent a key source for neighborhood beautification and stabilization. Also, the City will continue to provide CDBG funds for public services to provide a variety of assistance for service providers providing assistance to low income residents. The City has a CDBG Advisory Committee which reviews funding proposals from service providers and neighborhood groups, then allocates funding proposals. These recommendations are reviewed by the City Commission before approval.
The City of Lawrence, Kansas hereby pledges to maintain, preserve, and strengthen the availability of its existing housing stock, and to make the policies and goals mentioned in this report equitable and fair to all households within the community. The City will include new units according to the strategy outlined in this Five Year Strategy. The United Way of Douglas County is currently in the process of concluding a report which has analyzed the various service providers in the community. The Housing Advisory Council and the Practitioner's Panel are two groups which can be used to analyze existing, social, economic, and structural barriers to achieving affordable housing.
CDBG
Comprehensive Rehabilitation Loans
First-Time Homebuyer
Property Acquisition
Housing Weatherization
Energy Efficiency Improvements - Furnaces
Emergency Loans
Demolition and Clearance
HOME
Comprehensive Housing Rehabilitation
Tenant Based Rental Assistance
Homebuyer Activities
Property Acquisition and Development
STATE PROGRAMS
Emergency Shelter Grant (ESG) Program
Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC)Program
LOCAL PROGRAMS
Lawrence Chapter of Habitat for Humanity
City of Lawrence Housing Trust Fund
The Housing and Neighborhood Development Department (HAND) is making needed
changes to the existing institutional structure in order to strengthen the
delivery system of housing services. In addition to changing the name of the
Community Development Department to the Housing and Neighborhood Development
Department (HAND) to better reflect existing housing services, the City
Commission approved the 1994 budget providing for a full time Housing
Coordinator. The City Commission has recently adopted two ordinances creating a
Practitioner's Panel and Housing Advisory Council. These two groups were
developed primarily due to the recommendations of the Housing Study Group. In
addition to this, the City of Lawrence is in the process of adopting an
ordinance creating a local Housing Trust Fund, to further increase opportunities
to provide affordable housing. The Housing Trust Fund can be used to provide
gap financing for a variety of housing development activities. The primary
advantage to a trust is that the City will not be solely dependent upon federal
and state programs, and will be given a wide degree of flexibility for funding
mechanisms. The City of Lawrence HAND administrators closely monitor all
federal programs. The administrative procedures used by the City meet all
federal rules, regulations, and guidelines for program compliance and reporting.
The staff conducts field inspections to ensure the compliance of locally
administered housing projects. HAND monitors the Consolidated Plan through the
Annual Performance Report. Also, the Housing Advisory Council and the Housing
Trust Fund Board will monitor the performance of organizations receiving
assistance from any of the City programs.
2) Weatherization, Furnace and Emergency Repairs
Community Development Strategy: Funds will be allocated for support
of a program of grants or loans for weatherization, furnace improvements, and
emergency repairs to enable low income homeowners, especially elderly home
owners, to alleviate dangerous housing conditions, defined as a condition which
is potentially life threatening to occupants of a property. Loans will be
limited to $3,500 per household. An estimated 25 such repairs will be
completed. Approximately 40 homes will be weatherized, at no cost to the owner.
3) First Time Homebuyer Program
Community Development Strategy: The City of Lawrence HAND will be
allocating funds for downpayment and closing cost assistance for first time
homebuyers. Approximately 8 first time homebuyers will be provided assistance.
4) Demolition and Clearance
Community Development Strategy: These funds are used to ensure that
neighborhoods remain free of blight and are consistent with surrounding
developments and uses. Houses need to be razed which are impossible to
rehabilitate in an economically feasible manner. Approximately five houses will
be demolished with these funds.
5) Property Acquisition and Development
Community Development Strategy: The HAND will use HOME funds to
acquire and develop fifteen 3-bedroom duplex townhomes, three 2-bedroom
townhomes, and twelve single family detached 3-bedroom homes. This will
increase the stock of affordable housing for very low income persons, who earn
80% of the median family income or less. The Department will also use some
CDBG funds to purchase properties to give to various low income housing service
providers or develop the properties to provide affordable housing.
6) Accessibility Modifications
Community Development Strategy: The HAND will provide funds for a
local housing service provider (Independence, Inc.) to provide accessibility
modifications in units. Accessibility modifications will be provided to
approximately 12 such units.
7) Public Housing Comprehensive Grant Program
Community Development Strategy: The Lawrence Housing Authority
administers the funds to refurbish 94 units of scattered site units, units at
Edgewood Homes and Babcock Place.
8) Community Housing Development Organization
Community Development Strategy: The City of Lawrence will allocate
up to 15% of the total entitlement HOME grant to Tenants to Homeowners, Inc., a
non-profit organization, with activities to be determined at a later date.
9) Public Services
Community Development Strategy: The City will allocate CDBG funds to
the various service providers in the community. All proposals were reviewed by
the CDBG Advisory Committee, and subsequently approved by the Lawrence City
Commission.
10) Capital Improvements
Community Development Strategy: CDBG funds will be allocated to
provide capital improvement projects in targeted neighborhoods as well as
provide structural repairs to various housing service providers. All allocated
amounts were previously approved by the CDBG Advisory Committee and the City
Commission.
11) Contingency Funds
The HAND has allocated $8,209 in contingency funds. These funds are
unprogrammed, and are used as a reserve.
12) Project Administration
Community Development Strategy: The HAND will allocate funds from
the CDBG program to meet the direct and indirect costs associated with the
management of the program.
13) Homeless Needs
Community Development Strategy: The City of Lawrence will provide to
the various Lawrence housing service providers funds to enable them to maintain
their existing level of service and expand those services. Emergency Shelter
Grant funds have been requested from the Kansas Department of Commerce and
Housing. The City of Lawrence is not an entitlement city for these funds, so
funding is by competitive application. The City was recently notified of an
award of $80,105 to provide services to approximately 250 persons.
MAP 2 depicts points of interest and low-moderate income areas.
MAP 3 depicts low-moderate income areas and minority concentration levels.
MAP 4 depicts low-moderate income areas and unemployment levels.
MAP 5 depicts low-moderate income areas, unemployment levels, and proposed HUD funded projects.
Margene Swarts
Community Development Coordinator
PH: (913) 832-3117
