City seeks public comment on federal housing funds

The city of Springfield is seeking public comment on roughly $2.8 million in federal funds it expects to receive for the 2026-27 fiscal year.

The municipality expects to receive approximately $1.6 million in Community Development Block Grant funds and around $1.2 million in Home Investment Partnerships Program funding from the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development, according to a news release. The figures are estimates since the city has not yet obtained its annual HUD allocation.

The funding plan is available for public review until 5 p.m. on April 13.

Affordable housing is one of the key funding areas. According to the release, the city plans to use part of its HUD funds for rental housing including new construction and rehabilitation, and down-payment assistance loans.

The city's Economic Vitality Department will continue a commercial loan program and a business incentive loan program with a portion of the funds, according to the release.

The release additionally indicates that a dozen nonprofits will benefit from the HUD funds. The nonprofits identified in the release are:
• Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Ozarks
• Boys & Girls Clubs of Springfield
• Child Advocacy Center
• Community Partnership of the Ozarks Inc.
• Court Appointed Special Advocates
• Crosslines Community Outreach
• Foster Adopt Connect Youth Connect Center
• Good Samaritan Boys Ranch
• Harmony House
• KVC Behavioral Healthcare Missouri Inc.
• Ozarks Food Harvest
• The Kitchen Inc.