August 24, 2009 (LINCOLN, NE)—The Nebraska Department of Economic Development (DED) has awarded $1,631,300 through the Community Development Block Grant Neighborhood Stabilization Program 1 to the cities of Auburn, Fairbury, Falls City, McCook and Tecumseh and the nonprofit New Community Development Corporation in Omaha to help with neighborhood revitalization efforts.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Neighborhood Stabilization Program 1 is providing the emergency assistance to state and local governments to purchase, redevelop, and rehabilitate foreclosed, abandoned, and vacant properties that otherwise are already or may become inhabitable. A main focus of the program is to return safe and decent affordable housing units to the market. The Neighborhood Stabilization Program 1 also allows for the demolition of blighted structures. The program is authorized under Title III of the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008. DED administers the program.

Receiving awards are:

City of Auburn—$110,000 to demolish five blighted structures in an area in which at  least 51 percent of residents earn incomes at or below 120 percent of the Area Median Income (AMI). Contact Sherry Heskett, City Clerk, at 402-274-3420.

City of Fairbury—$110,000 to demolish five blighted structures in an area in which at least 51 percent of residents earn incomes at or below 120 percent of the AMI.  Contact Joe Parker, City Administrator, at 402-729-2476.

City of Falls City—$110,000 to demolish five blighted structures in an area in which at least 51 percent of residents earn incomes at or below 120 percent of the AMI. Contact Gary Jorn, City Clerk, at 402-245-2851.

City of McCook—$629,700 to demolish six blighted structures in an area in which at least 51 percent of residents earn incomes at or below 120 percent of the AMI. Contact Kurt Fritsch, City Manager, at 308-345-2022.

New Community Development Corporation, Omaha—$561,600 to acquire and rehabilitate four vacant, abandoned or foreclosed homes in the Omaha Neighborhood Revitalization Strategy Areas. All homes will be available for rent or sale to individuals earning at or below 120 percent of the AMI. Contact Felecia Howard, Housing Coordinator, at 402-451-2939.

City of Tecumseh—$110,000 to demolish five blighted structures in an area in which at least 51 percent of residents earn incomes at or below 120 percent of the AMI. Contact Paula Darling, City Clerk, at 402-335-3570.

For information about the Neighborhood Stabilization Program 1, contact:
Lynn Franzen at 800-426-6505, 402-471-3781 or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
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