Lakewood Housing, Planning & Development Committee Meeting: Housing, Planning & Development / LakewoodAlive

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The Lakewood Housing, Planning & Development Committee devoted its latest meeting to an update from LakewoodAlive, the local nonprofit that has become a key partner in both neighborhood housing stability and small business support.

Representatives from LakewoodAlive outlined how their team is working with homeowners, tenants and business owners across the city to keep properties in good condition, support neighborhood business districts and connect residents with the help they need to tackle repairs and improvements.

Housing outreach focuses on repair, safety and preventing blight

The presentation highlighted LakewoodAlive’s housing outreach programs, which are aimed at helping residents maintain and improve their homes, particularly older houses that are a hallmark of Lakewood’s neighborhoods.

Staff described a range of work, including:

• Proactive outreach to homeowners and landlords about visible maintenance issues such as peeling paint, deteriorating roofs, and failing porches.
• One-on-one assistance for residents who may be overwhelmed by the cost or complexity of repairs, including help identifying reliable contractors and understanding project scopes.
• Connections to available financial assistance, where possible, especially for seniors, low‑income households and those facing urgent safety issues.
• Education on property maintenance and code expectations, helping residents understand what the city is looking for and how to plan for long‑term upkeep.

Committee members discussed how this approach can reduce the need for purely enforcement‑driven code actions. By engaging early and offering support, LakewoodAlive and the city can help residents address problems before properties fall into serious disrepair.

Supporting seniors and vulnerable residents

A portion of the update focused specifically on seniors and residents with limited mobility or fixed incomes, who often face the greatest challenges when it comes to home maintenance.

LakewoodAlive staff explained that they work with these residents to identify critical issues—such as unsafe steps, failing handrails, or roofs at risk of leaking—then prioritize repairs that have the greatest impact on health and safety. In some cases, the organization can connect residents with programs that help offset costs or provide volunteer assistance for smaller projects.

Committee members underscored that this work not only allows long‑time residents to age in place safely, it also helps preserve neighborhood character and stability.

Small business support and storefront improvements

Beyond housing, LakewoodAlive has taken on an expanded role in supporting local small businesses and neighborhood commercial districts.

During the meeting, the organization described several key efforts:

• Technical assistance for small businesses navigating permits, signage rules, and city processes.
• Guidance on storefront improvements, including façade upgrades, lighting, awnings, and window displays that can make business districts more attractive and walkable.
• Help connecting business owners with potential grant programs, low‑interest loans or other financial tools when available.
• Coordination with the city’s planning and development staff to ensure that private investments and city projects complement one another.

Committee members noted that Lakewood’s neighborhood business districts are a defining feature of the community, and that support for small businesses is closely tied to housing and quality of life. A healthy commercial corridor can make nearby residential blocks more desirable, and vice versa.

Tracking trends and targeting outreach

LakewoodAlive also shared observations about current trends in housing and economic conditions, including where demand is strong, where properties may be showing signs of distress, and where commercial vacancies or turnovers are occurring.

By sharing this information with the city, the nonprofit helps Lakewood target its outreach and resources. For example, if a cluster of homes in a particular area appears to need exterior repairs, outreach staff can focus their efforts there. If a business corridor is seeing vacancies, LakewoodAlive and city staff can work together on recruitment and storefront improvement strategies.

Committee members thanked LakewoodAlive for its detailed update and acknowledged the organization’s role as a bridge between the city, residents and businesses.

Continued partnership with the city

The Housing, Planning & Development Committee indicated that it plans to continue regular check‑ins with LakewoodAlive and city staff to monitor housing conditions, business health and neighborhood needs.

Council members emphasized that the partnership with LakewoodAlive allows the city to extend its reach, especially in areas where intensive one‑on‑one outreach is needed. The collaboration is expected to remain a central part of Lakewood’s strategy for preserving housing, strengthening business districts and maintaining the city’s older building stock.

Residents or business owners interested in learning more about home repair assistance, property maintenance guidance or small business support can contact LakewoodAlive or Lakewood City Hall for more information about available programs and resources.