SWNCBC receives grants for new construction
The Department of Economic Development (DED) announced Thursday, Sept. 9 that Southwest Nebraska Community Betterment Corporation (SWNCBC) will receive two Nebraska Affordable Housing Trust Fund (NAHTF) grants totaling $667,950.
The NAHTF awards are available to units of local government, public housing authorities, community action agencies, nonprofit organizations and for-profits working in conjunction with one of these entities to be applied to support an array of housing-related projects, according to the DED.
SWNCBC Executive Director Amy Thelander submitted the two grant applications in April 2021 requesting a total of $667,950 in funding.
Across 34 individual projects and over two dozen applicants, $12,802,950 was awarded. SWNCBC received awards for $462,200 for new construction homes and $205,750 for rental rehabilitation.
The $462,200 award will go toward constructing two new homes in Grant, the first at 204 Hancock, the next at 604 Garfield. The vacant lots are owned by the Community Redevelopment Authority (CRA) which is partnering with SWNCBC on the projects.
Because these two locations already have the necessary infrastructure, development costs will be reduced.
Thelander said the homes will contain three bedrooms and two bathrooms, and will be 1,260 square feet on the main floor and will include a 1,260 square foot unfinished basement.
The homes will go on the market with income limits for buyers, the current income limit being 120% area median income.
For Perkins County, Thelander explained, a family of five can make $100,440 and qualify to purchase one of the new homes. SWNCBC will also provide down payment assistance up to $12,000 for potential homebuyers toward the purchase of the home.
The range for the 120% area median income is from $65,160 for a single-person household to $122,760 for an eight-person household.
The current plan, she said, is to build at 204 Hancock first. Proceeds from selling that home, along with leftover NAHTF dollars, will be used to build the house at 604 Garfield.
“Hopefully the sale of each home creates new funding to continue developing new housing,” Thelander said. While it might be a slow process at just one or two homes per year, she hopes it will lead to other new construction in the area.
Thelander said current projections for selling prices on the homes are between $190,000-$225,000, but this may change .
The $205,750 award is designated for rental rehabilitation on three duplexes owned by SWNCBC on Mitchem Avenue in Grant.
The units were originally built in 2001 as a tax credit project. Though the units are owned by SWNCBC, they must follow land use restrictions on the property, keeping them income and rent restricted.
The plan for rehabilitation on the duplexes includes energy efficient and health and safety updates, as well as accessibility modifications.
“I think these are going to be two great projects for our area,” Thelander said.
Because SWNCBC received notice of the award less than a week ago, they are still working with the NDED on the release of funds process.
As soon as they get the release of funds, Thelander said they will start procuring a contractor to build the homes. Construction will begin as soon as everything is ready.
Along with the NAHTF awards, Thelander said they have about $75,000 in cash match that will be provided by the CRA as well as the Perkins County Community Foundation Fund, Perkins County Chamber and SWNCBC.
Since Thelander joined SWNCBC in 2004, this is the first new construction project and the first rental rehabilitation project she has been a part of in Perkins County.
“We are very excited to do new construction for our area,” Thelander said. “Housing is one of the biggest needs locally, so we are excited to bring some new housing to Perkins County.”