NAHTF receives grants assisting affordable housing

The Nebraska Department of Economic Development (DED) recently awarded $12.75 million in awards under the 2023 application cycle of the Nebraska Affordable Housing Trust Fund (NAHTF.)
The Southwest Nebraska Community Betterment Corporation (SWNCBC) will receive two grants awarded for our area totalling $481,000 Amy Thelander, Executive Director of the SWNCBC in Grant, said.
One of the grants is for technical assistance to go toward operating costs, and the other is for owner occupied rehabilitation to qualified properties, she said.  The funds will be appropriated starting in January 2024.  “It is a three year program and with it we can assist nine homes for rehabilitation,” she said.
Criteria for rehabilitation falls under three areas.  One is of safety concerns, another is where energy efficiency can be improved, and another is of health concerns, she said.  “On this grant we can spend up to $40,000 per home,” she said.
The website states SWNCBC is a 501c3 whose mission is to create funding opportunities to improve housing and open doors for community and economic development.  They are dedicated to promoting affordable housing as well as community and economic growth in Perkins, Chase, Hayes, Dundy and Hitchcock Counties.
The NAHTF was established by the Nebraska Legislature in 1996  through the Nebraska Affordable Housing Act.  Enacted to address Nebraska’s affordable housing needs, the Act calls for a portion of the documentary stamp tax from Nebraska real estate transactions to be transferred to the NAHTF.  DED administers the fund to support the development of quality, affordable housing across the state.  Having a ready supply of reasonably priced housing helps communities recruit new families, attract businesses, and ensure residents at all income levels can enjoy the Good Life, the NAHTF press release stated.
“We recently built and sold a house in Grant with another in the process,” Thelander said.  “We also have three duplexes we rent out.”
The SNCBC in Grant can be contacted at 308-352-4338.