Study targets decent, affordable housing

McCook bankers, builders and real estate agents joined housing officials Wednesday for the start of a five-month study of the community's housing and development needs.

The meeting, arranged by the Federal Home Loan Bank of Topeka, attracted a group of 30 people for a 21/2-hour session at the former Bonanza Restaurant, now known as the Country Steak Buffet.

Melissa Miller-Atwood, representing the Federal Home Loan Bank, led the McCookites through an assessment of the community's housing needs. The consensus was that the need for housing crosses the spectrum of age and income, with both new construction and rehabilitation of older homes needed.

Generally, the crowd agreed with Miller-Atwood that McCook's housing is in good condition except for "pockets of deterioration." The major concern, as expressed in the discussion, was decent, affordable housing.

To explore the options, the housing study group will meet four more times on a monthly basis. Discussion topics will be public-private partnerships, a needs assessment, strategic planning, funding sources and implementation of the plan.

By law, the Federal Home Loan Bank is required to pump back 10 percent of its profits into community development. Last year, that amounted to $12 million in the four-state area served by the Topeka-based bank, Miller-Atwood said. Some of that money could flow to McCook, including a competitive grant of up to $300,000. In addition, gap financing of up to $4,000 is available to first-time home buyers through participating banks

The next meeting will be at the same location, the Country Steak Buffet. It will be Wednesday, Dec. 18, starting at 11 a.m. All interested persons are welcome to attend.