LINCOLN, NEB. (August 13, 2008)—The Nebraska Department of Economic Development has awarded $1,138,050 in funding to three cities and a nonprofit 501(c)(3) housing development corporation in the state’s Central Investment Zone as part of the 2008 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.

The four projects that received grants are:

• City of Albion—$250,000 CDBG funding to rehabilitate ten owner-occupied single family homes for low- and moderate-income persons earning at or below 80 percent of the area median income in Boone County. Affordable housing is a top priority in the area. Currently 11 applicants await the availability of affordable housing or rehab assistance, with six additional families expressing an interest. Contact Andrew Devine at 402-395-2428 or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it


• City of Creighton—$250,000 CDBG funding to rehabilitate ten owner-occupied single family homes for low- and moderate-income persons earning at or below 80 percent of the area median income in Knox County. The community’s previous experience includes rehabilitating 27 homes through a 1997 grant and reuse funds. After the 1997 grant was used, applicants continued to apply to the program. Currently 12 applicants await the availability of affordable housing or rehab assistance. Of 401 people responding to a 2007 Community Attitude Survey, 11 percent said they needed major home repairs while 33 percent said they would be happy with minor repairs. Contact Carmen Jacobs at 402-358-3557 or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it


• City of Fullerton—$250,000 CDBG funding to rehabilitate ten owner-occupied single family homes for low- and moderate-income persons earning at or below 80 percent of the area median income in Nance County. In 2002, Fullerton received a grant and  rehabilitated ten housing units. Currently six applicants await the availability of affordable housing or rehab assistance, with 14 additional families expressing an interest. Of 266 people responding to a 2007 Community Attitude Survey, 10.9 percent said they needed major home repairs while 49.2% said they only needed minor repairs. Contact James Kramer at 308-536-2428, or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it


• Housing Development Corporation (HDC) Hastings, Neb.—$388,050 NAHTF money to create a homeownership program for area employers to retain and recruit employees via down payment and closing cost assistance, with leftover funding earmarked for repairs to existing homes A minimum ten qualifying low- and middle-income families will receive help through the program. The down payment assistance also may be used to build new homes not developed by HDC. Grand Island Public Schools, J.B.S. Swift & Company, T-Shirt Engineers and McCain Foods USA, Inc. are participating in the Regional Workforce Initiative Program. Contact Linda Addison at 402-461-8407 or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

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