Burt County Housing Study

By Patty Plugge

BCEDC

A Burt County & Communities Housing Study is being conducted by the Burt County Economic Development Corporation (BCEDC).  The Housing Study is being completed with the assistance of Hanna:Keelan Associates, P.C., a Nebraska based community planning and research consulting firm.  The Housing Study, scheduled for completion by February, 2014, is being funded by a Housing Study Program Grant provided by the Nebraska Investment Finance Authority, with matching funds from the BCEDC and Black Hills Energy.

The Housing Study area will include the Communities of Tekamah, Lyons, Oakland, Decatur and Craig and the rural, unincorporated areas of Burt County. The current County Housing Study was completed by Hanna:Keelan in 2008.

A Burt County Housing Steering Committee will be formed to provide guidance in the development of the Housing Study. The first meeting of the committee, which will meet three times over the course of the study, is open to the public.  The meeting will be held on Tuesday, October 22^nd, 5:30 p.m. at the Oakland City Building, Rosen Meeing Room.

The BCEDC, in partnership with the Communities, County, Three Rivers Housing Development Corporation, Northeast Nebraska Economic Development District, Northeast Nebraska Community Action Partnership and other public and private local entities, have kept the facilitation and implementation of new housing and the improvement of existing housing stock at the forefront of the BCEDC’s community and economic development programs.

The Burt County & Communities Housing Study will include important population, income and economic data, a housing stock analysis, strategies for affordable housing development, a Five-Year “Housing Action Plan” and funding options for future owner and rental housing development and housing rehabilitation projects.

“A new Housing Study will be very important in keeping pace with the  community and economic development goals and objectives of the County,” according to Patty Plugge, Executive Director of the BCEDC. “The current Housing Study has been extremely helpful in combining housing needs with business recruitment and expansion opportunities, but we need a new Study to match the future economic initiatives of the County.”

“The citizens of Burt County will have the opportunity to participate directly in the development of a new Housing Study, by completing a survey and attending housing informational meetings,” states Plugge .  “The new County & Communities Housing Study will address the housing needs and wants of the entire citizenry of Burt County, including all age and income household sectors.  Special attention will be given the need for varied housing types for the Burt County workforce and elderly households.”

Any questions and/or comments regarding the new Burt County & Communities Housing Study can be directed to Patty Plugge, 402.374.2953, burtcoedc@abbnebraska.com.