PUBLIC NOTICE

State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) Program LHAP

The Lakeland City Housing Division has prepared the 2026-2029 the Local Housing Assistance Plan (LHAP) for the State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) Program. It was presented to the City Commission for review and comment on April 6, 2026. The SHIP Program assists eligible extremely low, very low, low, and moderate-income households with the purchase of new or existing homes and/or rehabilitation of existing owner-occupied homes in the City of Lakeland. The LHAP outlines the strategies and goals for the three-year period beginning July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2029. The proposed LHAP can be viewed online at https://www.lakelandgov.net/departments/community-economic-development/housing/ the City’s Community & Economic Development web page or request a copy at housing@lakelandgov.net.  Click here to view the 2026-2029 LHAP draft.

Please submit comments to housing@lakelandgov.net

Notice of Funding Available (NOFA) for Homestead Infill Line of Credit Program

Single Family Construction

NOFA Release Date: Tuesday, March 17, 2026

 Applications Due Date: Rolling Application

First Review Beginning: Friday, March 27, 2026

Program

The City of Lakeland Housing Division is offering development funding for the construction of affordable single-family homes on infill lots within the city limits. Construction financing will be provided up to a maximum of $200,000 per unit.

Funding is intended to assist income qualified property owners looking to build homes that will serve as their primary residence. Eligible applicants must have a household income at or below 140% of the Area Median Income (AMI). Priority will be given to property owners with income levels at or below 100% AMI.

Property owners must apply in partnership with a builder that has been approved by the City of Lakeland housing division as a certified affordable housing developer

Requirements

1. Applicants must own a buildable lot within the city limits of Lakeland and occupy the home as their primary residence upon completion of construction.

2. Applicants must apply in partnership with a certified affordable housing developer and must include a fully executed construction contract.

3. Applicants must provide a mortgage pre-approval letter or letter of intent from a lender indicating financing for the purchase of completed home.

4. The home shall meet architectural and design standards established by the City of Lakeland.
5. Approved applicants will enter into a loan agreement with the City of Lakeland, with final terms to be negotiated upon approval for program funding.

6. Applicants must have a household income at or below 140% of the Area Median Income (AMI) and priority will be given to applicants with incomes at or below 100% AMI.

7. Priority consideration will be given to any applicant that has purchased a lot through the City of Lakeland Infill Landbank program.

Instructions

1. Please apply online through the developer portal at the following link:
https://portal.neighborlysoftware.com/LAKELANDFL/Participant

New users must first register their account, before signing into the portal. Please select the Development Incentive Programs Portal and fill out the relevant sections, be sure to select “Infill Line of Credit” in Section B. Incentives.

2. Applications submitted before 5:00 pm on Friday, March 27, 2026, will be included in the initial review period. Applications received after this time will be accepted on a rolling basis and may be considered as funding becomes available.

3. Applications will be reviewed by the Affordable Housing Review Committee within approximately one week following the close of the initial review period. Funding recommendations will be presented to the City Commission for final approval.

4. The City reserves the right to reject any and all applications.

5. Up to three applicants may be funded concurrently. Additional funding may become available as loans are repaid, and program funds are replenished.

6. For additional information, please contact the City of Lakeland Housing Division:
Phone: (863) 834-3360
Email: housing@lakelandgov.net

PUBLIC NOTICE

Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and 

HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME) Programs

One Year Action Plan and Projected Use of Funds for

Program Year October 1, 2025 – September 30, 2026

The Lakeland City Commission will hold a public hearing to consider the One-Year Action Plan and Projected Use of Funds for the City’s Community Development Block Grant Program (51st Year) and HOME Investment Partnerships Program (31st Year). The Action Plan outlines short-term objectives and the projected use of funds for the program year October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2026.  The document may be viewed here.

The public hearing will be held in City Hall, 228 S. Massachusetts Avenue, Lakeland, Florida, on Monday, June 13, 2025.  The City Commission meeting will begin at 9:00 a.m.  All residents of the City of Lakeland are invited to attend and participate in this meeting. 

Persons having questions about the public hearing or the City's Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) or HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME) Programs should contact the Community & Economic Development Department, Housing Division at (863) 834-3360. 

In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 286.26, Florida Statute, persons with disabilities needing special accommodation to participate in this proceeding, or those requiring language assistance (free of charge) should contact the City of Lakeland ADA Specialist, Jenny Sykes.  Because providing a reasonable accommodation may require outside assistance, organizations, or resources, the City asks that any request be made with as much notice as possible, preferably 72 hours, but no later than 48 hours in advance of the event, at: (863) 834-8444, Email: Kristin.Meador@lakelandgov.net.  If hearing impaired, please contact the TDD numbers: Local – (863) 834-8333 or 1-(800) 955-8771 (TDD – Telecommunications Device for the Deaf) or the Florida Relay Service number: 1-(800) 955-8770 (VOICE), for assistance.

PUBLIC NOTICE

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT (CDBG)

CONSOLIDATED ANNUAL PERFORMANCE

AND EVALUATION REPORT (CAPER)

The City of Lakeland prepared the Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Reports (CAPER) for the 2024-2025
Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME) program year. The U.S. Department of
Housing and Urban Development must receive the CAPER reports in the Jacksonville area office by December 29, 2025. The public
may review and submit comments on the reports prior to submission to HUD.

The CAPER reports contain information on the status of all CDBG and HOME funded projects underway or completed during the
program year October 1, 2024 to September 30, 2025. These reports document the City’s performance in meeting the various
requirements for the expenditure of CDBG and HOME funds.

The CAPER and accompanying narrative statements are available for review by request at no charge. To receive information about the
reports please call 863/834-3360.

Comments should be addressed to: Michael Smith, Housing Programs Manager, Community & Economic Development Department,
Housing Division, 1104 Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, Lakeland, FL 33805, on or before Tuesday, December 23, 2025.

CITY OF LAKELAND
PUBLIC SERVICE GRANTS
PROGRAM YEAR 2026-2027

Applications are now available online only for funding to non-profit organizations seeking to provide public service activities in the City of Lakeland for the 2026-2027 program year for Community Service agencies. Both federal CDBG and local General Fund are available from October 1, 2026, through September 30, 2027.

The application is now available online by accessing the City’s website at
www.lakelandgov.net/departments/community-economic-development/housing/

under the Public Services tab.

For information, please call 863/834-3366 or contact by email to Adena.Kniss@lakelandgov.net or Michael.Smith3@lakelandgov.net Applications must be completed and submitted online by midnight Friday, March 27, 2026.

City Of Lakeland

Community Housing Development Organization (CHDO)

Application Request

32^nd Year HOME

Program Year 2026-2027

Applications are now being accepted for organizations seeking funds to provide affordable housing development for Community Housing Development Organization (CHDO) under the HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME) Program for the period of October 1, 2026, through September 30, 2027.

The application is available by emailing your request housing@lakelandgov.net . To request additional information, please call 863/834-3360 or email Adena.Kniss@lakelandgov.net or Michael.Smith3@lakelandgov.net.

The deadline for filing applications is Friday, March 27, 2026, close of business. One (1) application original must be received at the Housing Division, 1104 Martin L. King, Jr. Avenue, Lakeland 33805 by the deadline.  Please do not email application.