Since its founding, the organization has delved into multiple ventures to provide affordable housing throughout its 17-county service area in southeastern Nebraska, which includes: Butler, Cass, Fillmore, Gage, Jefferson, Johnson, Lancaster, Nemaha, Otoe, Pawnee, Polk, Richardson, Saline, Saunders, Seward, Thayer, and York counties. Largely known for its success in implementing new construction, down-payment assistance, and purchase-rehab-resale (PRR) programs, SENAHC also has extensive experience managing Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) properties and Owner-Occupied Housing Rehabilitation (OOR) projects. In 2020, the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services awarded SENAHC $1.24 million in CARES Act funding for the implementation of a statewide Landlord Assistance Program that provided financial and rehabilitation assistance to rental properties leased by low-to-moderate-income tenants. The organization continues to build upon the successes of these past programs by impacting the southeastern region with its recently funded (2023) Rural Workforce Housing Fund (RWHF) program, which contains a $1.8 million project pool for eligible workforce housing projects. More information about the RWHF program can be found at the link below.
Mission Statement
To promote and facilitate the development of safe, decent and affordable housing for low and moderate income persons; to serve as a conduit through which financing, technical advice, and other forms of assistance from private and public resources may be channeled to low and moderate income residents of Southeast Nebraska; and, generally to perform any and all activities necessary to enhance the overall quality and affordability of housing within the established service area of the corporation.
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING or PUBLIC MEETING ON APPLICATION FOR THE HOME INVESTMENT PARTNERSHIPS FUNDS
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on Friday, December 20, 2024 at 10:00 AM in the offices of the Southeast Nebraska Affordable Housing Council (SENAHC), SENAHC will hold a public hearing concerning an application to the Nebraska Department of Economic Development for a HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME) award. The funding is available for local affordable housing activities.
The Southeast Nebraska Affordable Housing Council is requesting $50,000 for a HOME CHDO Operating grant. HOME CHDO funds will be used for the operation of SENAHC, such costs include salaries, wages, and other employee compensation and benefits; employee education, training, and travel; rent; utilities; communication costs; taxes; insurance; equipment; materials; and supplies.
The grant application will be available for public inspection at SENAHC’s office located at 7407 O Street, Lincoln, NE. All interested parties are invited to attend this public hearing/meeting at which time you will have an opportunity to be heard regarding the grant application. Written testimony will also be accepted at the public hearing scheduled for 10:00 a.m., Friday, December 20, 2024, at SENAHC’s office (7407 O Street, Lincoln, NE). Written comments addressed to Jim Warrelmann at 7407 O Street, Lincoln, NE 68510 will be accepted if received on or before Thursday, December 19, 2024.
Individuals requiring physical or sensory accommodations including interpreter service, Braille, large print, or recorded materials, please contact Jim Warrelmann at 7407 O Street, Lincoln, NE 68510 no later than Wednesday, December 18, 2024.
SENAHC is governed by an 8-person Board of Directors who provide a strong representation of the service area’s regional diversity. Members include:
| Name | Title |
|---|---|
| Rick Kunze | Pawnee County (President) |
| Jerry Divis | Saunders County (Vice President) |
| Spencer Kunze | Johnson County (Treasurer) |
| Tracy Wieckhorst | Otoe County (Secretary) |
| Emily Perry | York County |
| Lucas Froeschl | Richardson County |
| BJ Burrows | Cass County |
| Eric Johnson | Fillmore County |
- LIHTC Properties
- Independence Court – a 24-unit rental complex located in Seward.
- Hillside CROWN – located in both Tecumseh and Syracuse, both communities include 6 rent-to-own properties. These single-family homes are leased for 15 years prior to becoming eligible for sale as Affordable Housing units.
- Apple River CROWN – located in Nebraska City and Auburn, these communities are also comprised of rent-to-own single family housing units. There are 10 homes in the Nebraska City community and 5 in Auburn. These properties are leased for 15 years prior to becoming eligible for sale as Affordable Housing units.
- Goldenrod Village – this community of 12 rental duplex units is in Crete. Properties in the Village are available exclusively to elderly clients. Lease terms are negotiated based on certain eligibility criteria.
- Rural Workforce Housing Fund
SENAHC is currently managing a $1.8 million RWHF program within its 17-county service area. Initial projects will occur within the program’s three investor communities: Nebraska City, Henderson, and Falls City. Once the fund has completed a project in each community, the revolved funds will be available to finance additional workforce housing projects within any community in the SENAHC territory. To be considered for a project, communities/developers must complete the application linked below. Please note- only certain types of projects are eligible for the RWHF Program. Details on project eligibility are included in the Program Guidelines below.