HOME Investment Partnerships Program

The HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME), administered in this case by the City of Lawrence, Kansas, is a federally funded initiative designed to promote affordable housing solutions for low- and very low-income households. Established under the oversight of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), HOME is the largest federal block grant program exclusively supporting the development of affordable housing for income-qualified families. The City of Lawrence distributes these funds through its Planning & Development Services Department, specifically within the Housing Initiatives Division. The program uses a competitive application process and incorporates local housing goals through the City’s Consolidated Plan and the guidance of the Affordable Housing Advisory Board (AHAB). HOME grants support a broad range of housing-related activities. These include the acquisition, construction, and rehabilitation of affordable rental and homeownership housing, as well as tenant-based rental assistance. Eligible expenses may also cover site improvements, demolition, relocation expenses, and other development-related costs. HOME-assisted housing must meet HUD's defined property standards upon completion and maintain affordability for periods ranging from 5 to 20 years, depending on the type and amount of investment. In addition, at least 15% of the annual allocation must be reserved for projects owned, developed, or sponsored by certified Community Housing Development Organizations (CHDOs). A local match of 25 cents per dollar in non-federal resources is generally required, though reductions may apply based on local distress or federal disaster designations. For the 2026 program year, the City of Lawrence anticipates approximately $335,000 in HOME funding will be available through a competitive process. Final allocations may be adjusted depending on the federal budget. Eligible applicants include nonprofit and for-profit organizations. Proposed activities must align with the 2023–2027 Consolidated Plan, the City’s Strategic Plan, and local housing goals. Applicants must also demonstrate that their project will further long-term affordability, maximize impact to low-income populations, and support coordinated community development strategies. Funding priorities include projects that address unmet needs, use leveraged resources, provide measurable outcomes, and include sustainability strategies. Applications were accepted beginning December 31, 2025, with a firm deadline of February 2, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. Late submissions will not be reviewed. Proposals must be submitted electronically to the Housing Initiatives Division, along with a range of required documentation including a narrative, budget form, board member list, annual report, and applicable city approvals. Incomplete applications may be returned for minor corrections only if substantially complete; missing core components such as unanswered narrative questions or absent budgets will result in disqualification. Once submitted, proposals are reviewed first by Housing Initiatives staff for compliance with federal and local guidelines. HOME applications are then scored by the Affordable Housing Advisory Board, with final funding decisions made by the City Commission. Funded applicants will enter into formal grant agreements with the City, which will include conditions such as federal compliance, reporting, nondiscrimination, and financial tracking. All funded projects must undergo environmental review under 24 CFR Part 58 before any federal or non-federal funds may be committed to project activities. The 2026 HOME grant program year will run from August 1, 2026 through July 31, 2027. All proposed activities must be designed to operate within this timeframe and must meet HUD’s requirements for commitment and expenditure timelines. Projects involving acquisition, construction, or rehabilitation require additional underwriting documentation. The City encourages potential applicants to contact the Housing Initiatives staff at [email protected] or (785) 832-7700 with questions or to discuss their project’s eligibility and strategic fit.