The Nebraska Department of Economic Development (DED) has awarded $4,210,000 in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) to five nonprofit organizations. The Pandemic Relief Housing Program was created under LB 1014 to respond to the negative economic impacts of the coronavirus public health emergency. Awarded projects will aid in the economic recovery from the negative impacts of the COVID-19 public health emergency by increasing long-term housing stability.
The funds awarded through the Pandemic Relief Housing Program shall be for households with an income at or below 185% of the most recent poverty guidelines published by the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and shall be located in disproportionately impacted geographies or be located in a qualified census tract (QCT). Projects serving refugees and other such immigrants exclusively may be located anywhere within the state.
DED opened applications for the program on December 1, 2022 and received eight applications requesting less than the $8,000,000 allocated for the program. At least 50% of the funds awarded must be awarded to rural Nebraska. DED will open a second application cycle. For the second application cycle, $790,000 will be available for eligible projects located in Douglas, Lancaster and Sarpy Counties. The remaining $3,000,000 will be available to eligible projects located in rural Nebraska.
More information on the Pandemic Relief Housing Program, eligibility restrictions and the second application cycle will be available on the program webpage at https://opportunity.nebraska.gov/programs/recovery/pandemic-relief-housing-program/ or by email to DED.PandemicReliefHousingProgram@nebraska.gov.
Pandemic Relief Housing Program Awardees
Lutheran Family Services of Nebraska, Inc. – Lexington/Dawson County – $1,000,000
The new construction of 16 units of 3- and 4-bedroom rowhome style rental housing units serving refugees/immigrants exclusively.
Habitat for Humanity of Omaha, Inc. – Omaha/Douglas County – $1,000,000
The production of five affordable housing units for sale using a mix of rehabilitated homes and new construction units serving refugees/immigrants exclusively.
Project Houseworks -Omaha/Douglas County – $550,000
Creating quality, safe affordable housing through a Home Repair Program serving refugee/immigrant homeowners exclusively.
Neighborhoods, Inc. – Lincoln/Lancaster County – $660,000
Down payment assistance program serving 12 refugee/immigrant households exclusively.
Family Service Association of Lincoln – Lincoln/Lancaster County – $1,000,000
New construction of four 2- and 3-bedroom rental duplexes (8 total units) serving refugees/immigrants exclusively.