LINCOLN, NEB. (February 28, 2007)—The Nebraska Department of Economic Development has awarded $7,616,900 grant funding to communities and local housing partnerships as part of the 2006 Nebraska Affordable Housing Program.

Grants are made available to fund housing projects statewide through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), HOME Investment Partnership, and Nebraska Affordable Housing Trust Fund (NAHTF) programs. All projects here benefit low- and moderate-income households.

"At a time when we are focused on tax relief and restraining government spending, there are still important contributions to be made for the good of Nebraskans," Gov. Dave Heineman said. "Community-level programs, including these affordable housing grants, play an important role in helping our communities support economic opportunity.”

Projects receiving $950,900 in grants in the Western Region include

· Community Action Partnership of Mid-Nebraska—$30,000 NAHTF grant to expand the offering of REACH Homebuyer Education training workshops to residents in Frontier, Furnas and Gosper counties.

· City of Imperial—$184,000 in CDBG funding to rehabilitate eight owner-occupied homes.

· High Plains Community Development Corporation, Chadron—$50,000 NAHTF to expand the foreclosure prevention and loss mitigation counseling service area.

· Keith County Housing Development Corporation, Ogallala—$40,000 NAHTF grant to support activities that include educating communities on affordable housing and professional board training.

· Lincoln County Community Development Corporation, North Platte—Two projects. $100,000 HOME funding to rehabilitate owner-occupied homes in the area and to be used for housing management and general administration; and $120,000 NAHTF for production costs related to providing affordable housing through down payment assistance, owner occupied rehabilitation, and purchase rehabilitation resale programs.

· McCook Economic Development Corporation—$104,000 NAHTF for organizational operation expenses related to rental housing rehabilitation, training, and possible employer assisted housing project.

· Village of Mullen—$229,900 in CDBG funding to provide down payment assistance to 12 families in the communities of Mullen, Arthur or Thedford, or Grant, Hooker and McPherson counties.

· Panhandle Community Services, Gering—$40,000 NAHTF grant to expand current housing production and activities, expand funding opportunities, increase financial reserves, and other activities highlighted in approved target plan.

· Southwest Nebraska Community Betterment Corporation, Grant—$53,000 NAHTF grant to rehabilitate duplexes, for operating expenses, and to increase financial reserves.

Projects receiving $1,321,800 in grants in the Central Region include:

· Central Nebraska Economic Development, Inc., Bassett—$590,000 HOME grant to rehabilitate 20 homes in Boyd, Howard, Keya Paha and Rock counties.

· Community Action Partnership of Mid-Nebraska, Kearney—$90,000 NAHTF grant for operating support to reach approved targets in Buffalo, Franklin, Harlan, Kearney and Phelps counties.

· Housing Development Corporation, Hastings—$236,000 NAHTF grant to rehabilitate eight owner-occupied homes in Adams, Clay, Hall, Nuckolls and Webster counties.

· City of Ravenna—$202,800 NAHTF grant to help six homebuyers purchase new homes.

· Valley County—$203,000 in CDBG funding to help 10 homebuyers purchase and rehabilitate homes in Ord and throughout Valley County.

Projects receiving $2,639,400 in grants in the Northeast Region include:

· The Builder Foundation, Omaha—$120,000 NAHTF grant for operating expenses to meet approved targets in Omaha.

· Gesu Housing, Inc., Omaha—$120,000 NAHTF grant for operating expenses to meet approved targets in North Omaha bounded by Military, 40th, Lake and Patrick streets.

· Midwest Housing Development Fund Inc., Omaha—Two awards. $120,000 NAHTF grant for operating expenses to meet approved targets in Omaha; and $240,500 NAHTF grant to help rehabilitate the Williams Prepared Place rental project, and for operating and replacement reserves.

· City of Norfolk—$400,000 NAHTF grant to help with the next development phase of the Meadow Ridge subdivision, including infrastructure and construction of 35 housing units, with 16 units restricted for buyers whose household incomes are at or below 100 percent of the Area Median Income.

· Northeast Economic Development, Inc.—$365,700 NAHTF grant to help 17 homebuyers purchase homes in 15 counties throughout northeast Nebraska.

· City of Omaha—$800,000 NAHTF grant to build 18 single-family homes in the North Omaha neighborhoods of Highlander, Orchard Hill, Clifton Hills South and 33rd and Spalding, and provide homebuyer assistance.

· Pender Economic Development, Inc.—$115,400 NAHTF grant to build two single-family homes and provide homebuyer assistance to two qualifying households to purchase the units.

· City of Stanton—$237,800 NAHTF grant to build three single-family homes, and provide homebuyer assistance to three families to purchase the units.

· Wayne Community Housing Development Organization—$120,000 for operating expenses to meet approved targets in Wayne, Cuming and Thurston counties.

Projects receiving $2,704,800 in grants in the Southeast Region include:

· Blue Valley Community Action, Fairbury—Two awards. $194,700 NAHTF grant to rehabilitate Trailview housing units in Hebron, refinance debt, replace reserves, and use for operating expenses; and $404,400 NAHTF grant to rehabilitate Crestland housing units in Beatrice, refinance debt, replace reserves, and use for operating expenses.

· Lincoln Action Program—Three awards. $211,000 NAHTF grant to rehabilitate Jonna Court properties in Lincoln, and refinance debt; $257,900 NAHTF grant to rehabilitate nine owner-occupied units of qualifying families living in Lincoln’s Clinton Neighborhood; and $398,600 NAHTF grant to purchase, rehabilitate and resell housing in Lincoln’s Clinton Neighborhood.

· NeighborWorks® Lincoln—$320,000 NAHTF grant to rehabilitate 11 homes and provide down payment assistance for qualifying homebuyers in Lincoln.

· City of Seward—$326,200 CDBG funding to provide down payment assistance for qualifying families living in Seward.

· Thayer County—$250,000 NAHTF grant to provide minor rehabilitation service and down payment assistance for qualifying families living in Thayer County.

· York Housing Authority—$342,000 NAHTF grant to provide a short-term lease to own program in the city of York

FOR INFORMATION, CONTACT:

Lorenzo Claxton, Nebraska Department of Economic Development at 800-426-6505, 402-471-4169, or email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Individuals who are hearing and/or speech impaired and have a TDD, may contact the department through the Statewide Relay System by calling one of the following numbers:
711, (800) 833- 7352 (TDD), or (800) 833-0920 (voice).
The relay operator should be asked to call DED at (800) 426-6505, or (402) 471-3111.