LINCOLN, NEB. (August 13, 2008)—The Nebraska Department of Economic Development has awarded $150,000 HOME Community Housing Development Organization funding set aside as part of the 2007 Nebraska Affordable Housing Program to the nonprofit Community Action Partnership of Mid-Nebraska (Mid).

Mid is partnering with local realtors, lenders and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development to purchase, rehabilitate and resell at least five homes to first-time homebuyers earning low and moderate incomes.

Through its housing department, Mid pursues its mission of “Helping people, changing lives, and making communities a better place to live,” by rehabilitating and reselling homes one at a time.

“Charles and Peggy” of Kearney are a young couple who has benefitted from Mid’s housing program. After living in Mid-owned affordable rental housing for nine years while attending the University of Nebraska at Kearney, they were ready to become homeowners. First they attended a REACH homebuyer education class offered through Mid. Then they contacted a local bank to prequalify for a home mortgage loan. The loan officer gave them a number of options to choose from, including a low-interest mortgage loan from the Nebraska Investment Finance Authority, up to $4,000 closing cost assistance from the Federal Home Loan Bank, and rehabilitation services and down payment assistance through Mid’s Purchase, Rehab and Resale (PRR) program.

“Thank you so much for helping us to own our first home. Without your help, we wouldn’t have had the home were in now, and be able to stay home with our children. We appreciate all the hard work and dedication you all put into helping our dream come true. You all do great work and we are sincerely grateful for all the service you do for the community. Best of luck to all.” With thanks, Charles and Peggy.

Mid offers a variety of programs and services, including educational, employment, health, housing, nutrition, senior service, transportation and volunteer.

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