LINCOLN, NEB. (September 19, 2008)—The Nebraska Department of Economic Development has awarded $100,000 in Nebraska Affordable Housing Trust Fund (NAHTF) set aside for the Central Investment Zone as part of the 2007 Nebraska Affordable Housing Program to the nonprofit CORE Development, Inc., in Neligh, Neb.

CORE will use the money for its Homeowner Opportunity Program to help homebuyers earning incomes at or below 80 percent of the Area Median Income make down payments on five available homes within its service area of Antelope and Holt Counties. Communities that are served by CORE include Brunswick, Clearwater, Chambers, Elgin, Ewing, Inman, Neligh, Oakdale, Orchard, Page, Royal, and all of Antelope County. The units will be purchased within a 24-month period with a projected completion date of June 1, 2010.

This project is a continuation of a regional housing program run by CORE since 1995. The nonprofit organization has consistently received Community Development Block Grant or Nebraska Affordable Housing Trust Fund awards from 1995-2000, and 2004-2005, and HOME funds in 2002 and 2006. The CORE Down Payment Assistance project has assisted 65 LMI families since its inception. CORE also has leveraged other funding sources through programs and departments including Weatherization, Making Homes Accessible, Assistive Technology and the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services.

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