LINCOLN, NEB. (February 1, 2008)—The Nebraska Department of Economic Development (DED) has awarded $544,700 in Nebraska Affordable Housing Trust Funds (NAHTF) to Ho-Chunk Community Development Corporation (CDC).
     In addition to the NAHTF money, $2,610,900 in CRANE low-income housing tax credit is being invested through the Collaborative Resource Allocation in Nebraska (CRANE) process. Ho-Chunk CDC has already contributed $100,000 for a charette (planning brainstorming session) and the resulting Winnebago Village Center Plan, plus $253,939 for basic infrastructure extended to the area including streets, water and wastewater lines, alleys, and a parking lot. 
     The Winnebago Village Center Plan outlines a “New Urbanism” concept for its Little Priest Apartments, LLC, two 10-plex multi-family units, maximizing limited capital expenses and land. The apartments are located in Ho-Chunk Village, immediately north of the village of Winnebago.
     Each complex will be identical with two floors, and five units and a common laundry room on each floor. Four units will be one-bedroom (784 sq. ft.), 12 will be two-bedroom (1,023 sq. ft.), and four will be three-bedroom (1,349 sq. ft.). All units will feature at least one bathroom, ample closet space, a porch or balcony, and kitchen with counters connecting to the dining area. One first floor unit in each complex will be fully handicap accessible. Another unit will be reserved for the manager and receive free rent as compensation for the site duties connected with the position.
     The buildings’ exterior will feature brick or brick-like material along the base and vinyl siding above the brick, and decorative shutters and dormer. A 35-foot common green space will link the two buildings and feature picnic tables and barbeque grills to promote a neighborhood feel and communications among tenants.
     The apartments are designed to provide affordable, quality housing options for people currently living in substandard or overcrowded housing. Nineteen units will target households up to 60 percent of the Area Median Income (being $27,780 maximum for three-person households in Thurston County).  Monthly rents will range from $310-390.
     For project information, contact Pamela Forster, Excel Development, at 402-434-3344, or email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

FOR INFORMATION CONTACT
Patty Wood at 800-426-6505, 402-471-1559, or email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it