The purpose of the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program is to provide assistance to low and moderate income residents. Every five years a Consolidated Plan is adopted, and each year an Annual Action Plan (grant application) is submitted for approval, which conforms to the five-year plan. This year the City submitted both a five-year (2020-2024) Consolidated Plan and an annual Action Plan for the use of CDBG funds. The Governing Body conducted a public hearing on the five-year Consolidated Plan and proposed use of the 2020 Community Development Block Grant funds at the August 26 and October 14, 2019 City Council meetings.
The following strategic priorities were selected to provide supports to low and moderate-income residents for the 2020-2024 Consolidated Plan.
• Public facilities and improvements
• Housing rehabilitation
• Homelessness prevention
• Public Services
The Governing Body approved the projects below as part of the 2020 Annual Plan. The total allocated budget for the 2020 Community Development Block Grant is $287,208.
59th Street (King Street to Barton Street) Improvements - $218,083 for the removal and replacement of the existing street to include grading, widening, curb, sidewalk/ADA ramps, storm drainage facilities, pavement markings, and LED streetlight luminaires. The street and stormwater improvements will reduce the traffic hazards, increase pedestrian safety, and reduce area flooding. The project will be completed in 2021.
Minor Home Rehabilitation Program - The City contracts with Johnson County Housing Services to provide housing rehabilitation services. Eligible projects undertaken include plumbing, heating, roofing, handicapped accessibility and remedy of interior code violations. Program applicants must be income qualified. The amount recommended for this program is $35,000, an additional $10,000 from prior year allocations. It is expected that 12 households in Shawnee will receive assistance through this program.
Friends of Johnson County Developmental Services - $9,925 to create an accessible bathroom for three residents at a home they own on 69th Terrace. The City CDBG funds would be in addition to other funding sources, which will support more significant accessibility improvements. The estimated total project costs is approximately $55,670.
Johnson County Parks and Recreation - $11,700 for summer day camp scholarship assistance to low and moderate income households with children.
The Salvation Army - $7,500 for emergency rent and utility assistance to income qualified Shawnee residents.
Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas - $5,000 to provide emergency rent and utility assistance to income qualified Shawnee residents.
Click here to view the 2020-2024 Consolidated Plan and 2020 Annual Action Plan report.