Could Your Home Qualify for Assistance?
Prequalification forms for the Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce Housing Rehabilitation Program are now available.
Housing Rehabilitation Program
The Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce was awarded $900,000 through FHLBank Topeka’s 2024 Affordable Housing Program (AHP). This year $31.3 million in AHP grants were made in partnership with FHLBank Topeka’s member financial institutions. The member partnering on this project is Columbus Bank & Trust Company.
The AHP grant funds the Chamber’s Housing Rehabilitation Program, which will provide $900,000 to assist 60 homeowners of various income levels in making repairs to their homes to maintain the integrity of the home, while also providing them valuable homeowner education. The Chamber has created a prequalification form to identify eligible rehabilitation projects. The form can be completed online here, or a physical copy can be downloaded here and must be returned to the Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce.
A Chamber representative will contact you once your submission has been reviewed.
Housing Committee
The Chamber’s Housing Committee dates back to 2007, though the Chamber has been involved in growing the availability of housing to further grow the Columbus community since it was formed in 1921.
The Chamber’s Housing Committee provides members the opportunity to stay informed on upcoming housing developments, the barriers and challenges of the housing industry, and grant and loan opportunities available to help address our housing shortage.
The Committee meets the first Tuesday of every month at 9 am at the Chamber office located at 753 33rd Ave in Columbus.
Housing Committee Contact:
Jake Gable
Housing Committee Chair
jgable@commonwealthelectric.com
Rural Workforce Housing Funds
In May of 2023, the Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce received notice its request for $1,000,000 from the Nebraska Rural Workforce Housing Fund (RWHF) had been approved. This request was accompanied by a $500,000 local match that was provided by the City of Columbus LB840 Economic Development Fund. This $1,500,000 will be used as a revolving loan fund to provide low interest funding for builders, contractors, and developers who build housing units that fall within the program guidelines of the RWHF.
In January of 2024, the Chamber received notice of award for an additional $502,685 from the Nebraska Department of Economic Development. These funds were matched locally with $251,343. The Chamber, the BD Foundation, and Cargill contributed to the local match.
The Chamber is excited to offer this funding opportunity to builders, contractors, and developers looking to build housing units that fall within the program guidelines of the RWHF. The Chamber has contracted NeighborWorks Northeast Nebraska to serve as Fund Manager of the Chamber’s Rural Workforce Housing Fund.
Applications will be accepted until September 27, 2024. Once received and finalized, applications will be packaged by NeighborWorks Northeast Nebraska, reviewed, underwritten and recommended by an advisory committee, and approved by the Chamber’s Board of Directors.
Applications can be received by the link below or by contacting Roger Nadrchal (RogerN@nwnen.org) CEO of NeighborWorks Northeast Nebraska. Please contact Roger with any questions. Completed applications and the $250 application fee (payable to NeighborWorks Northeast Nebraska) must be received by NeighborWorks Northeast Nebraska to finalize your application.
Total Fund Balance: $2,255,000
Committed Funds: $1,100,000
Available Funds: $1,155,000
Nebraska Department of Economic Development
$1,000,000 (May 2023)
$502,685 (January 2024)
City of Columbus LB840 Funds
$500,000 (May 2023)
BD Foundation
$100,000 (January 2024)
Cargill
$100,000 (January 2024)
Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce
$55,000 (January 2024)
Rural Workforce Housing Fund Contacts:
Rural Workforce Housing Fund Contacts:
Rory Bowen
Rural Workforce Housing Fund Committee Chair
rbowen@colbank.com
Roger Nadrchal
Rural Workforce Housing Fund Manager
NeighborWorks Northeast Nebraska
work: 402-379-3311
rogern@nwnen.org