Public Meeting: Nebraska Affordable Housing Program Grant

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that at 9:00 am on Monday, April 15, 2019, at 1701 N 24th St., Omaha, Habitat for Humanity of Omaha, Inc., will hold a public meeting concerning applications to the Department of Economic Development for Nebraska Affordable Housing Program Grant. This grant is available for local affordable housing activities.

Project areas will be generally located in the Kountze Park, Highlander, Laird Street and Neighborhood Action and Fact (NAAF) focus areas, with infill building in surrounding areas. Kountze Park is roughly bounded by N 24th St. and N 16th St., between Sahler and Pratt. Highlander is between Parker St., 75 North, N 30 St, and Hamilton St. Laird Street focus area is bounded by Sahler, N 16th St., Pratt St, and Florence Blvd. The NAAF focus area is between Sahler, N 24th St., Wirt, and 75 North. Building may also take place in other scattered site locations in North and South Omaha. All requested NAHTF funds will benefit low- and moderate-income persons by providing affordable homeownership or home repair opportunities. No displacement of residents will occur as a result of any of the activities funded. Habitat for Humanity of Omaha Inc. (HFHO) is requesting funding for the following three projects:

• 2019 New Construction Project will include construction of 20 new, single-family residential units and will involve activities such as site preparation, construction of new residential units, and conveyance of property with low-interest loans to qualified buyers making at or below 80% of median income. To complete this project HFHO is requesting $595,000 of NAHTF funding to be utilized entirely on construction costs, and will also contribute $2,995,500 of matching and leveraged funding from private donations, grant sources, and retail revenues for acquisition, blighted home demolition, and hard costs of residential construction units for a total project cost of $3,590,500. Construction will begin in November of 2019 and will be completed by June 30, 2022.
• 2019 Housing Rehabilitation Project will include the purchase and rehabilitation of 16 single-family residential units and will involve activities such as site, grade, and concrete rehabilitation, rehabilitation activities on residential units, and conveyance of property with low-interest loans to qualified buyers. To complete this project, HFHO is requesting $500,000 of NAHTF funding to be utilized for house acquisition and rehabilitation expenses, and will contribute $3,325,880 of matching and leverage funding from private donations, operating revenues, grant sources, and retail revenues for acquisition and hard costs of residential rehabilitation units for a total project cost of $3,825,880. Work on this project will begin in November 2019 and will be completed by June 30, 2021.
• 2019 Owner-Occupied Rehabilitation Project will include home repairs, including repairs on flood-damaged homes, on 32 owner-occupied, single-family residential units within Douglas, Burt, Washington, and Sarpy Counties, with Habitat Omaha financing rehabilitation costs by providing no-interest loans to qualified homeowners with income at or below 100% of the area median income. To be eligible for this project, homeowners must have proof of homeowner’s insurance, be able to demonstrate good financial standing, hold clear title to their property, and be currently living in their home. HFHO is requesting $500,000 of NAHTF funding and will contribute $142,004 of matching and leveraged funding from private foundations, donations, and operating revenues to complete the project, for a total project cost of $642,004. This project will begin in 2019 and will be completed by the end of 2021.

This grant application will be available for public review at 1701 N 24th St during the meeting. All interested parties are invited to attend this public meeting at which time you will be given the opportunity to be heard regarding the grant applications. Written testimony will also be accepted at the public meeting scheduled for 9 am, April 15, 2019 in the Meeting Center at the HFHO office. Written comments can be addressed to: Janneane Gerot, at HFHO, 1701 N 24th St., Omaha, NE 68110 and will be accepted if received on or before April 15, 2019. Individuals requiring physical or sensory accommodations including interpreter service, Braille, large print, or recorded materials, please contact Cara Davis-Jensen at HFHO, 1701 N 24th St, Omaha, NE 68110, phone 402-884-7680, not later than noon on April 15, 2019.