Friday, Dec. 28 2012 4:53PM

LS offers community development grants

By Russ Pulley

rpulley@lsjournal.com

Lee’s Summit this month will be taking applications for grants for projects to help elderly and lower income residents.

The annual Community Development Block Grant program disperses money from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, said Heping Zhan, long-range planning manager for the city.

It is to be used to attack blight or to meet urgent needs of low-to-moderate income families and individuals served by not-for-profit agencies.

Last year the city received nearly $289,000, Zhan said, which it used for grants in its minor home repair and first-time home buyer’s program, as well as allocations to Lee’s Summit Social Services, Hope House, ReDiscover Mental Health Services, Coldwater, Community Mediation Center and the Lee’s Summit Housing Authority.

Zhan said the city expects to get at least the same funding for 2013-14.

Lee’s Summit is defined as an entitlement city, thanks to its population exceeding 50,000, so it automatically receives a share of money from the federal program.

To be eligible for a grant, applicants must attend a pre-application orientation at 9 a.m. Jan. 10 in the Strother Conference Room at City Hall, 220 SE Green St.

City staff will review the applications for preliminary selections, then there will be public hearing 6 p.m. March 11 at City Hall, followed by a period of public comments, then the grants will be awarded by the full City Council.