Paul Hammel
Nebraska Examiner
Five low-income housing projects in Omaha and Fremont will share $10 million in federal funding, part of $109 million the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development sent to Nebraska to recover from flooding in 2019.
HUD set aside about $26 million of that relief money for affordable housing in communities impacted by the “bomb cyclone” floods in March of 2019.
Douglas, Sarpy and Dodge Counties were deemed the “most impacted” counties by the flooding by HUD, according to the Nebraska Department of Economic Development, which announced the grant awards Monday.
231 housing units
A total of 231 housing units are planned using the $10 million.
Recipients, which will receive $2 million each, are:
- Kennedy Square East/Brinshore Development LLC, 2912 Spencer St., Omaha, 63 new rental units.
- Drexel/Foundations Development LLC: 18011 Drexel St., Omaha, 50 new rental units.
- Sahler/Foundations Development, 4150 N. 132nd St., Omaha, 50 new rental units.
- Fremont Northside Townhomes II/Mesner Development, near 29th and North Yager Road, Fremont, 27 new rental units.
- Highlander Phase V/Brinshore Development, 2198 N. 31st St., Omaha, 41 new rental units.
Disaster declarations
The 2019 flooding prompted disaster declarations in 84 of the state’s 93 counties and in four tribal areas. The worst damage was in the eastern part of the state.
To support long-term recovery, Nebraska received a $108.9 million grant through HUD’s Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery program.
The state’s plan for using the money, approved by HUD in 2021, focused on “unmet needs” related to housing, infrastructure and the economy.
DED is now taking applications for $78 million in infrastructure funds, a department spokeswoman said. Those funds are expected to be awarded later this year, said Kate Ellingson of DED.
Another $26 million was set aside for housing needs and $4.5 million for economic recovery.
DED estimated the total unmet needs of the state, due to the 2019 floods, was about $250 million.
