Affordable Housing Trust Fund

The City’s new permitting and licensing software, Enterprise Permitting & Licensing (EPL) is now live.

About the Affordable Housing Trust Fund

The Affordable Housing Trust Fund is available through a local sales tax, with the purpose of:

  • providing and improving the quality, availability, and affordability of housing in Lawrence;
  • acquiring land for future affordable housing units; and
  • investing in private/public partnerships for the provision of affordable housing.

Click here to view the Affordable Housing Trust Fund projects dashboard

 

2024 Affordable Housing Trust Fund Notice of Funding Opportunity

The City of Lawrence Affordable Housing Advisory Board (AHAB), is currently accepting applications for the City’s Affordable Housing Trust Fund. 

Applications are accepted for  the following projects for residents living at or below 80%AMI:

  • Affordable housing or land acquisition
  • New affordable housing development
  • Rehabilitation of affordable housing for preservation of existing affordable housing stock
  • Accessibility modifications for low-to-moderate income households with accessibility needs to remain in affordable and accessible housing
  • Housing vouchers for low-income households
  • Projects that increase community awareness on affordable housing
  • Projects that advance racial equity in housing

All projects must be within the City of Lawrence and serve households residing within city limits.

Applicant Eligibility:

  • Corporations and LLCs
  • 501(c)3 Nonprofits
  • Neighborhood and civic groups
  • City of Lawrence and Douglas County Departments

Individuals applying for their own Owner-Occupied units not eligible applicants for the Affordable Housing Trust Funds.

The application deadline is 5:00 p.m. on Friday, September 15, 2023

Applicants will be asked to present to the Affordable Housing Advisory Board at their hybrid meeting on October 09, 2023.

Following their review, the Advisory Board will make a recommendation for funding to the City Commission. The City Commission makes the final award approval.

Recommendations will be based on available resources, the ability of the project to meet stated goals of the Affordable Housing Trust Fund, the evaluation criteria, past performance by the agency in adhering to funding guidelines (as appropriate), and the ability to measure progress toward the project objectives.


2024 Affordable Housing Trust Fund Application Materials

2024 Affordable Housing Trust Fund Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO)

2024 Affordable Housing Trust Fund Application

If you have questions, please contact Lea Roselyn, affordable housing administrator, at 785-832-3164 or lroselyn@lawrenceks.org.

 

2023 Affordable Housing Trust Fund recipients

The Annex Group was awarded $400,000 for an affordable multi-family housing development called Union at the Loop. This is a 248-unit multi-family new construction, which includes a club house, green space, and other community amenities.

Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center was awarded $108,000 for a new development supportive and rehabilitative permanent housing project. The project will create 22-24 housing units above a commercial space which will be used for jobs training and development for residents.

DCCCA, Inc. was awarded $200,000 for a new development of affordable transitional homes. The project will create 10 units that will house women who are recovering from substance abuse, as well as their children.

The Douglas County Housing Stabilization Collaborative was awarded $350,000 for support services to provide rental and utility assistance to those experiencing housing instability so they are able to remain housed.

Flint Hills Holdings Group, LLC was awarded $100,000 for an affordable multi-family housing development called the New Hampshire St. lofts. Located at 1000 New Hampshire St., the building will have 48 affordable housing units on the upper floors with commercial space on the first floor.

Independence, Inc. was awarded $50,000 for the Accessible Housing Program, which allows seniors and people with disabilities to make needed accessibility modifications to their home.

The Senior Resource Center for Douglas County was awarded $53,000 for accessible safe housing for seniors. The Senior Resource Center will use the funds for low-income seniors who need assistance with maintenance and accessibility modifications to keep them aging-in-place safely in their homes.

Wheatland Investments Group, LLC was awarded $400,000 for an affordable multi-family housing development called The Estates of Lawrence. This is a new construction rental project targeted to seniors. It will have 16 two-bedroom units and 22 three-bedroom units.

 

Since 2019, the Affordable Housing Tax Fund has supported:

  • 645 new affordable housing units for renters and homeowners in Lawrence
  • 65 accessibility home modifications for low and moderate income residents with disabilities in Lawrence
  • 160 safety and weatherization home improvements made to low and moderate income residents in Lawrence
  • 1,128 housing vouchers and rental assistance for low income residents for housing stability supports
  • 21 first time homebuyers assistance

 

Return to main Affordable Housing page.