The City Council has approved an application to the Kansas Department of Commerce for a Small Cities Community Development Block Grant for housing rehabilitation. The application will potentially allow rehab to 12 houses occupied by low to moderate income families, including five rental units, seven owner-occupied units, and three vacant units for demolition.

A local committee has studied housing needs in the community for several months in preparation for the application. Pre-applications for grant funding from all areas of Belle Plaine are being accepted in advance of the formal application.

After receiving a good number of pre-applications, the first target area for grant funding has been established. That area is bounded by 10th Street on the north, Foulk Drive to 7th to Washington on the east, 4th Avenue on the south, and Main on the west. Homes on both sides of the boundary roads will be included.

Pre-applications have been received from several other neighborhoods in the City. Under the grant guidelines, the City must define a target area to be eligible for future housing grants. If the entire City were in the target area, the community could only apply one time.

The City of Belle Plaine does plan to apply for future grants to help improve other areas of the City, so residents in other areas who have not submitted pre-applications are still encouraged to do so.

Committee members presented information on community needs in front of state officials this past week in an effort to look at this grant and to seek suggestions on any other state programs which might benefit Belle Plaine. Feedback received from that presentation will be used to solidify the final application.

For the pre-application for homeowners, click here.

For the pre-application for landlords, click here.