Programs offer hope of making home ownership possible

Southwest Nebraskans with limited incomes don't have to give up on their dream of owning a home.

According to officials who spoke to the McCook Housing Partnership, a number of programs are available to assist first-time homebuyers and those with low incomes and special needs.

Direct loans, grants and interest rate subsidies are among the programs available, panelists told the group that gathered Wednesday at the Country Steak Buffet in McCook.

Residents of this area are already taking advantage of the help with housing costs. Diane Rich of McCook, a community development technician with U.S. Rural Development, said 19 direct grants were placed in Southwest Nebraska in the past year. That is the most for any area of the state, she said.

Direct grants of up to $7,500 are available through U.S. Rural Development for those with incomes less than this area's Average Median Income. Currently, two-person families with an income of less than $18,500 can qualify.

Other panelists appearing at the meeting were Beth L. Fries of North Platte, community development manager for USDA Rural Development; Kristi McClung of Big Springs, economic development consultant with the Nebraska Department of Economic Development; Scott C. Davey, community resource consultant with the Nebraska Investment Finance Authority; and Melissa Miller-Atwood, community programs specialist with the Federal Home Loan Bank of Omaha.

Wednesday's meeting was the fourth of a series of five in McCook presented by Miller-Atwood. The series will conclude Friday, March 21, with a session starting at 11 a.m. at the Country Steak Buffet.

Following that, the McCook and area housing effort with be carried forward by Sheila Hrnchir, the community's newly appointed housing director, and committees made up of members of the McCook Housing Partnership.

Hrnchir's top priority will be the presentation of Homebuyer Education Programs. According to the panelists who took part in Wednesday's program, homebuyer education is a requirement for many of the loan and grant programs.

For those who qualify because of age, income or special needs, the housing grant and loan programs offer attractive opportunities. Interest rates as low as 1 percent are available on some U.S. Rural Development loans, and rates as low as 2.99 percent are possible through the Super Target Mortgage Program offered through the Nebraska Investment Finance Authority.

For additional information, interested persons may contact Sheila Hrnchir, the housing director, at the Housing Office. The number is (308) 345-5188.