(Nebraska Examiner) Nearly $13 million in awards from the Nebraska Affordable Housing Trust Fund were announced Tuesday.

Established in 1996 by the Nebraska Legislature to address the state’s affordable housing needs, the fund is fueled by a portion of the documentary stamp tax from real estate transactions.

The Nebraska Department of Economic Development administers the program, which assists local governments, public housing authorities, community action agencies, nonprofits and for-profits that work with the entities.

‘Highly competitive’

Trust fund dollars can be used for housing-related projects, new construction or rehabilitation, or for first-time homebuyers through direct assistance such as down payment and closing costs.

The 2023 cycle was “highly competitive,” the DED said — with 70 applications seeking about $42 million.

The state agency selected 23 individual projects to share $12.75 million that support development of at least 264 housing units. 

DED Director K.C. Belitz said the program is proven to generate strong interest.

“This year, funding requests from quality applicants far exceeded DED’s spending authority,” he said. “Each awardee made an especially compelling case for their project’s ability to meet local housing needs.”

Awardees, project location and amount: 

• Blue Valley Community Action, nine counties in southeast Nebraska, $661,000.
• Central Nebraska Growth Foundation, Grand Island, $845,000.
• City of Kearney, $845,000.City of Milford, $287,500.
• City of Minden, $802,500.City of Wood River, Wood River, $565,500.
• Cozad Development Corp., Cozad, $30,000
• Habitat for Humanity of Omaha, Bellevue, $510,000.
• Habitat for Humanity of Omaha, Blair, $795,000.
• Habitat for Humanity of Omaha, Douglas County, $845,000.
• Habitat for Humanity of Omaha, Omaha, $820,000.
• Habitat for Humanity of Omaha, Papillion, $425,000.
• Hope Harbor, Grand Island, $45,000.
• Housing Foundation for Sarpy County, Papillion, $845,000.
• Lincoln/Lancaster County Habitat for Humanity Inc., Lincoln, $800,000.
• Nebraska Housing Resource, Lincoln, $302,500.
• NeighborWorks Lincoln, $805,000.
• NeighborWorks Lincoln, $832,500.
• Project Houseworks, Omaha, $890,000.
• Southwest Nebraska Community Betterment Corp., five southwest Nebraska counties and McCook, $431,000.
• Southwest Nebraska Community Betterment Corp., five southwest Nebraska counties and McCook, $50,000.
• Village of Beaver Crossing, Beaver Village, $287,500.
• West Central Nebraska Development District, 17 west central Nebraska counties, $30,000.

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