Community Development Week shines a light on Johnson County’s work to support low-income, homeless residents
The week of April 6-10 is National Community Development Week. This recognition is an opportunity to highlight the work of Johnson County Community Development and Housing Services, divisions of the Department of Planning, Housing and Community Development.
National Community Development Week was created in 1986 to show support for a federal program called the Community Development Block Grant, as well as the HOME Investment Partnerships Program when it was established in 1992. These grants help to build stronger and more resilient communities and can be used for needs such as community centers, affordable housing development, and economic development projects.
The Community Development division coordinates implementation of the CDBG program at the county level to support improvements to public infrastructure, as well as provide emergency assistance to eligible Johnson County citizens. The Housing Services division manages funding through the federal HOME and HOME-ARP programs, which support low-income housing, reduce homelessness and increase housing stability.
Supporting community development in Johnson County
During its regular meeting last Thursday, April 2, the Johnson County Board of County Commissioners proclaimed April 6-10 as Community Development Week in the county.
Throughout the week, staff from organizations funded by CBDG, HOME and HOME-ARP have hosted a table in the Johnson County Administration Building (111 S. Cherry St., Olathe), answering questions and providing insights into what services they provide and where citizens can go to get assistance.
Johnson County Community Development and Housing Services staff also volunteered at Catholic Charities’ TurnStyles Thrift Store in Overland Park on April 8. Staff worked with local Girl Scout Juniors Troop 3347 to prepare items for sale.
Staff are hosting an application workshop for the 2027 Community Development Block Grant program on April 17 at 9 a.m. in Room 100 A/B at the North Central Multi-Service Center. This date also marks the start of the application cycle for CDBG.
View a map of public facilities projects that have received CDBG funds within the last several years.
Project to provide rental housing for homeless population
Left to right: L-R: Commissioner Julie Brewer; Congresswoman Sharice Davids; Chairman Mike Kelly; Crockett Worthington, HUD; Scott Cooper, Metro Lutheran Ministries; Sheriff Byron Roberson; Commissioners Janeé Hanzlick and Jeff Meyers
In 2025, Johnson County allocated $2.38 million in HOME-ARP funds to agency partner Metro Lutheran Ministry. The organization was tasked with developing rental housing for the homeless.
Metro Lutheran Ministry has developed 16 housing units to be offered to homeless individuals, including four units at 510 E. Park St. in Olathe.
A ribbon cutting at that site took place Friday, April 10. Representatives from Metro Lutheran Ministry, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Representative Sharice Davids, and the Chairman of the Johnson County Board of County Commissioners, Mike Kelly, spoke at the event.
Johnson County is working to address needs across the Housing Continuum, which ranges from those experiencing long-term homelessness to cost-burdened homeowners.
You can learn more about the county’s efforts to address homelessness and housing insecurity in our Housing and Homelessness Assistance Guide.
For more information about the county’s community development efforts, contact the Community Development division at cdbg@jocogov.org.