$1,263,600 awarded to City of Gering, Western Nebraska Housing Opportunities for neighborhood revitalization efforts

SCOTTSBLUFF, NE – August 18, 2009 – (RealEstateRama) — Governor Dave Heineman today awarded $1,263,600 through the Community Development Block Grant Neighborhood Stabilization Program 1 to the nonprofit Western Nebraska Housing Opportunities, and the City of Gering to help with neighborhood revitalization efforts. The Nebraska Department of Economic Development administers the program.

Gov. Heineman said, “This funding will help Scottsbluff and Gering move forward with neighborhood development projects. I’m delighted to present these grants to city and community leaders today, and I look forward to seeing what’s next for both communities.”

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Neighborhood Stabilization Program 1 is providing the emergency assistance to state and local governments to purchase, redevelop, and rehabilitate foreclosed, abandoned, and vacant properties that otherwise are already or may become inhabitable. A main focus of the program is to return safe and decent affordable housing units to the market. The Neighborhood Stabilization Program 1 also allows for the demolition of blighted structures. The program is authorized under Title III of the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008.

Receiving awards are:

City of Gering – $275,600 to demolish up to 17 blighted structures. Tentatively the City of Gering has identified the blighted Health and Human Services building in downtown Gering owned by Scotts Bluff County and the McKee Properties that sits directly outside the Gering Civic Center, which houses the Visitor’s Bureau for demolition. In addition up to 15 miscellaneous structures (most likely vacant uninhabitable or older houses) will be demolished through this project. The project serves an area in which at least 51 percent of residents earn incomes at or below 120 percent of the Area Median Income (AMI). Contact Lane Danielzuk, City of Gering, at 308-436-5096.

Western Nebraska Housing Opportunities – $988,000 to demolish up to 27 blighted structures and develop two homes in Scottsbluff. The largest proposed structure to be removed is a vacant milling operation, built in the 1920s and inoperable for more than two years. The combined structures, including elevators, bins, and old warehouse and milling facilities, cover a half block area in downtown Scottsbluff. The second proposed property to come down under this program is the City Limits Motel, which has been repeatedly vandalized and set fire-two major fires occurring within the past few months. The remaining 25 miscellaneous structures will most likely be vacant uninhabitable or older houses. Western Nebraska Housing Opportunities then intends to acquire a minimum of two lots on which to build two houses for residents earning incomes at or below 120 percent of the AMI. The project serves an area in which at least 51 percent of residents earn incomes at or below 120 percent of the Area Median Income (AMI). Contact Rawnda Pierce, Western Nebraska Housing Opportunities, at 308-635-6710.

For information about the Neighborhood Stabilization Program 1, contact Lynn Franzen at 800-426-6505, 402-471-3781

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CONTACT
Patty Wood at 800-426-6505, 402-471-1559