The Nebraska Department of Economic Development (DED) has announced the recipients of over $7.5 million in funding through the Nebraska Affordable Housing Trust Fund (NAHTF) for 2019.
Administered by DED on behalf of the State of Nebraska, the NAHTF supports the development of quality, affordable housing in communities throughout the state. This, in turn, promotes economic growth by empowering communities to attract and retain families and the workforce.
“The availability of housing influences our ability to attract people and job creators to our state,” said DED Director Dave Rippe. “There’s no shortage of families and young professionals who choose small- or medium-sized Nebraska communities for their terrific quality of life. But finding a home can be a challenge. Small towns can compete equally with cities for young professionals and families, but they must invest in and develop the resources to do so. The NAHTF is a statewide resource and investment tool that helps empower communities to address their housing needs.”
DED accepted applications for the 2019 NAHTF program year until late April. Eligible recipients include local governments, community action agencies, nonprofits, public housing authorities and for-profit developers and contractors working with another eligible applicant. Eligible activities range from the construction of new owner-occupied or rental units to existing unit rehabilitation, down payment assistance programs and non-profit technical assistance.
The NAHTF was established in 1996 with the passage of the Nebraska Affordable Housing Act. Since, the Fund has helped to build or rejuvenate thousands of homes throughout the state. In 2018 alone, NAHTF awards supported the construction or rehabilitation of 250 housing units across Nebraska, and generated a greater than $47 million estimated economic impact.
DED awarded 21 NAHTF applications through the 2019 annual program cycle to 17 separate communities and organizations, with awards totaling $7,571,750. Later this year, the agency is slated to award an additional $3 million under the NAHTF Disaster Recovery Housing Project Cycle, which was implemented in the wake of the March flooding. The agency also awarded approximately $1.35 million this year to three recipients under the unique NAHTF Innovative Housing Demonstration Program (click here for more information).
A full list of this year’s NAHTF recipients is provided below. More information about the NAHTF program can be found at https://opportunity.nebraska.gov/program/nebraska-affordable-housing-trust-fund/ .
2019 Nebraska Affordable Housing Trust Fund (NAHTF) Awards: Recipient Organization and Total Award(s):
- Blue Valley Community Action: $500,000
- City of Ashland: $500,000
- City of Milford: $252,000
- City of Stromsburg: $500,000
- Custer Economic Development Corporation: $500,000
- Fremont Area Habitat for Humanity: $500,000
- Habitat for Humanity of Omaha, Inc.: $1,000,000
- High Plains Community Development Corporation: $399,000
- Holy Name Housing Corporation: $1,040,000
- Lincoln County Community Development Corporation: $440,000
- Lincoln Lancaster County Habitat for Humanity: $500,000
- South of Downtown Community Development Organization: $40,000
- Southeast Nebraska Community Action Partnership: $225,000
- Southwest Nebraska Community Betterment Corporation: $295,000
- Village of Shelton: $150,000
- West Central Nebraska Development District: $484,500
- Western Nebraska Housing Opportunities: $246,250