Eligibility: All Nebraska communities and counties except those designated as Entitlement Areas (Omaha and Lincoln).

Nature of Program: In Nebraska, Community Development Block Grant, HOME funds, and Nebraska Affordable Housing Trust Funds are used by the Department for its Affordable Housing Program. Funds are used to provide grants to communities/counties on a competitive basis for housing rehabilitation (Owner and rental-occupied). Homeownership assistance programs and housing development activities including new construction of multi-family housing, conversion of a building to housing; major rehabilitation of existing housing and infrastructure improvements on sites where affordable housing will be built.

The program is administered by the Division of Community and Rural Development of the Nebraska Department of Economic Development (DED). The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Omaha Field Office performs monitoring for this program. Projects must meet national and state objectives. Three of the categories for which funding is awarded are housing-related: community development, housing and planning. All CDBG projects must benefit a majority of low-to-moderate income persons.

The state objective for the Affordable Housing Program is to invest in projects so that communities can leverage private financing to provide for permanent, energy efficient, affordable housing. Activities given priority under this program are:

Local match is required for Affordable Housing Program funds. The amount required varies according to project activity.

Contact:

Lara Huskey
Housing Coordinator
Department of Economic Development
Community and Rural Development Division
301 Centennial Mall South
Lincoln, NE 68509-4666
(402) 471-4169 or (800) 426-6505
Nebraska Relay Service: (800) 833-7352
Fax: (402) 471-8405
Web Site: http://www.neded.org

Planning Category: CDBG funds are granted to communities to assess and solve problems through a planning process. DED provides grant funds for local governments to development options for meeting needs, packaging work plans and developing processes that result in successful community economic development projects.

Some eligible activities related to housing include:

The maximum grant amount is $25,000 for a single local government or $40,000 for a multi-community with a local cash match of 25% of the project costs is required.

Contact:

Steve Charleston
CDBG Program Manager
Nebraska Department of Economic Development
Community and Rural Development Division
301 Centennial Mall South
Lincoln, NE 68509-4666
(402) 471-3757 or (800) 426-6505
Nebraska Relay Service: (800) 833-7352
Fax: (402) 471-8405
Web Site: http://www.neded.org

The Affordable Housing Program (AHP) - Predevelopment category includes the Nebraska Affordable Housing Trust Fund (NAHTF) program.

State Objectives: The AHP state objectives for using funds in the Housing category provide for investing funds in quality projects and programs for quality communities so that local governments and non-profit organizations can leverage private financing to provide for permanent, energy efficient, affordable housing.

Projects will (1) address housing conditions related to community economic development needs; (2) expand equal housing opportunities; or (3) create public/private partnerships to address housing needs holistically (linking housing with supportive services to promote economic self-sufficiency and family preservation).

Eligibility: The Department of Economic Development (DED) awards funds to local non-profit 501 (c)(3) or 501 (c)(4) housing or related service organizations, local units of government, and Public Housing Authorities.

Nature of Program: Funds will be available to determine specific project feasibility.

Application Process: The DED publishes an action plan on an annual basis, which details the method for distributing NAHTF, CDBG, and HOME funds. Application guidelines are developed following citizen comments and approval of the action plan. Funds are awarded on a competitive basis in accordance with the application guidelines and the Annual Action Plan. Please contact the Department for assistance in applying for these funds.

Contact:

Lara Huskey
Housing Coordinator
Department of Economic Development
Community and Rural Development Division
301 Centennial Mall South
Lincoln, NE 68509-4666
(402) 471-4169 or (800) 426-6505
Nebraska Relay Service: (800) 833-7352
Fax: (402) 471-8405
Web Site: http://crd.neded.org
E-mail address: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Predevelopment Revolving Loan Fund (PDLF)

Eligibility: Applications must be submitted by community-based organizations such as Community Housing Development Organizations. Housing Development Corporations (state chartered or 501(c)(3)), Public Housing Authorities, and other organizations with the IRS 501(c)(3) nonprofit designation. All organizations must have a relationship to and a history of serving the local community. For profit developers may be involved if they are in a formal relationship, as detailed in a written document, with an otherwise eligible applicant. If an applicant is found ineligible, Nebraska Investment Finance Authorit will provide technical assistance to encourage the applicant to become a community-based organization.

Benefits: Provide incentive for communities to seek sufficient professional, technical and financial resources for turning ideas related to housing into viable community projects using private and public resources.

Nature of Program: There are three primary resources in the Predevelopment Revolving Loan Fund. The first resource is to provide community-base organizations with technical assistance which will enable them to qualify for a NIFA PDL. Secondly, the program provides short term low interest or no interest (if matching funds are provided) predevelopment loans of up to $20,000. Finally, the program assists the organization in the use of predevelopment loan funds to receive the appropriate professional services, resources, and financing necessary to develop housing appropriate for their community needs.

Terms: The minimum loan amount is $15,000 and the maximum loan amount is $20,000. The loan term maximum is eighteen months with a three percent (3%) annual percentage rate. Repayment of the entire loan is deferred until the end of the term and is to be paid in one payment when construction financing is obtained. When twenty-five percent (25%) of the PDL request matched with other funds, no interest rate is charged. The loans are secured with a Promissory Note and First Lien Deed of Trust on the property of the proposed development.

Contact:

Susan Stibal
Nebraska Investment Finance Authority
1230 'O' Street, Suite 200
Lincoln, NE 68508-1402
(402) 434-3900 or (800) 204-6432
Fax: (4021 434-3921
Web Site: www.nifa.org

Eligibility: A public or private nonprofit organization which is authorized to provide housing sites on a nonprofit basis.

Benefits: Provides financing for the development of building sites for the construction of single family housing dwellings for moderate, low and very-low income families.

Nature of Program: A loan is made to an eligible organization to develop building sites where there a demonstrated need. Loan funds can be used to purchase land, construct streets and utility lines, etc., pay for engineering and legal fees and certain administrative expenses. Developed sites are to be sold on a nonprofit basis to moderate, low and very low income households.

Interest Rate: Currently 6.875%

Repayment Terms: 2 years from the date of the loan.

Contacts:

Kenneth Stadler
USDA, Rural Development
100 Centennial Mall North, RM. 152
Lincoln, NE 68508
(402) 437-5569
Fax: (402) 437-5408

or

Any USDA, Rural Development Office