Housing Leaders Meet in Burt County

Leaders, developers and representatives from across NE were in Lyons on June 19^th for the Burt County Housing Summit, hosted by Burt County Economic Development Corporation and Nebraska Investment Finance Authority. The purpose of the summit was to inform housing developers of the opportunities available in Burt County, and match those opportunities with the appropriate financing programs.

Keith Carl, with Hanna:Keelan Associates spoke to the group about the results compiled in the updated Burt County Housing Study. The results found that Burt County will need to provide 108 new housing units – 72 owner, 36 rental – by 2019. Each community’s needs were determined by surveys and face-to-face meetings.

Steve Peregrine, with Nebraska Investment Finance Authority (NIFA), then talked about the financing programs that NIFA provides. Along with NIFA, representatives from USDA, HUD and the NE Department of Economic Development all gave a brief report on financial programs that developers can use to help Burt County achieve their housing goals

Pam Thomsen, Director of Three Rivers Housing Corporation, spoke to the funding her organization received to construct three new affordable homes. These homes will be built in Lyons because the City of Lyons was prepared by having clear ownership of three buildable lots that they offered to donate to anyone willing to build a home. One of the lots already has been spoken for, leaving two available for qualified individuals.

After hearing from the housing experts, the group boarded a bus for a tour of Burt County. Those serving as tour guides for their communities included: Pam Thomsen and Brooks Larsen – Lyons, Matt Connealy – Decatur, Kevin Brenneis – Tekamah, Denise Gilliland and Sue Beckner – Oakland. All communities in Burt County have available lots within the community that would be suitable for affordable housing.

Patty Plugge, Executive Director of Burt County Economic Development Corporation, reported that since the Summit, she has had contact with two separate housing development companies interested in pursuing affordable housing projects in Burt County. Plugge said she will continue to work with Three Rivers Housing and any other developers, and hopes to have good news to report concerning this soon.

Housing leaders met in Burt County, discussing different possible housing areas, then took a tour of Burt County where tour guides met with them in each community, pointing out places of interest to those in attendance. Photo Credit/Patty Plugge BCEDC.