Six housing projects in 2nd Congressional District awarded $2,449,600

The Nebraska Department of Economic Development (DED) has awarded $2,449,600 in Nebraska Affordable Housing Trust Fund (NAHTF) money for six affordable housing projects located in Congressional District 2. The money is part of the Nebraska Affordable Housing Program administered by DED.

Three awards went to Habitat for Humanity of Omaha for projects in the Kountze Park area in North Omaha and Deer Park Neighborhood in South Omaha.

• The first project will use $500,000 to construct single-family homes for 25 families earning at or below 100 percent of the Area Median Family Income. The project’s remaining $2.99 million from Habitat for Humanity in Omaha and previously-awarded NAHTF money will go toward the acquisition of vacant properties or land, demolition of uninhabitable housing and site preparation, construction, and project administration.
• The second project will use $450,000 to purchase, rehabilitate and resell 15 properties to families earning at or below 100 percent of the Area Median Family Income. The project’s remaining $1,592,550 from Habitat for Humanity in Omaha and previously-awarded NAHTF money will go toward the acquisition of property, and purchase, rehabilitation (including testing for lead-based paint), and resale of properties, and project administration.
• The final project awards $60,000 in operating assistance Habitat for Humanity in Omaha to be equally disbursed during a two-year period.

Since 1984, Habitat for Humanity of Omaha has worked to eliminate substandard housing in Douglas and Washington counties, with a focus on blighted areas in North and South Omaha, and to partner with low-income families to help them become more financially secure. To date, Habitat Omaha has partnered with 803 local families; completed 404 homes, and made 208 critical and 191 minor repairs. During the past building season, Habitat Omaha endeavored to build or renovate 50 homes with the help of more than 9,000 volunteers.

Habitat Omaha serves families wanting to become homeowners whose income is 30-60 percent of the median area income in Omaha. Each partnering family must complete up to 350 sweat equity hours (working at the construction site, attending educational sessions related to financial planning, budgeting and home maintenance and repair) as part of the purchasing requirement. All homebuyers pay 100 percent of the home’s appraised price through a 20-30 year no-interest Habitat loan.

For information on the Habitat for Humanity of Omaha projects, contact Glenda Wood at 402-884-7680 or gwood@habitatomaha.org

Three awards went to the City of Omaha for projects located throughout the City.

• The first project will use $483,800 to construct eight homes for families earning at or below 100 percent of the Area Median Family Income (AMFI). The City is partnering with Holy Name Housing Corporation to build six single-family homes in the Cornerstone East area (Clark St. to Charles St.,18th to 21st streets), and two single-family homes adjacent to the intersection of 41st and Lake streets. Three of the homes will be designated for households earning at or below 80 percent AMFI. The project’s remaining $938,200 from federal HOME and/or Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP) funding will go toward site improvement and construction costs.
• The second project will use $483,800 to purchase, rehabilitate and resell six vacant single-family homes in an area east of 72nd Street. All homes will be made available to families earning at or below 100 percent of the AMFI, with three designated for households earning at or below 80 percent AMFI. Eligible homebuyers will be required to complete at least eight hours of homebuyer counseling from Family Housing Advisory Services. The project’s remaining $370,000 will come from federal HOME and/or Community Development Block Grant and NSP funding.
• The third project will use $472,000 to help 16 homeowners in the Deer park, Columbus Park and Prospect Hill neighborhoods rehabilitate their owner-occupied homes. Deer Park roughly encompasses the area between I-80 and Martha St., from 15th to 20th streets. Columbus Park is generally located between Leavenworth and Woolworth streets, between 24th and 28th streets. Prospect Hill is roughly occupies the area between Hamilton and Lake streets, from 30th to 36th streets.

Eligible homebuyers are those earning at or below 80 percent of the AMFI.

The Omaha Homeowner Rehabilitation Program revitalizes neighborhoods through complete exterior rehabilitation and necessary interior rehabilitation, specifically addressing the issue of lead-based paint removal and education. The project’s remaining $320,000 will come from the City of Omaha’s CDBG fund.

For information on City of Omaha projects, contact David Thomas at 402-444-5150, ext. 2008, or david.thomas@cityofomaha.org

CONTACT Kate Ellingson at 800-426-6505, 402-471-3749, or kate.ellingson@nebraska.gov