Neb. Gov. Awards $800,000 to Assist Tornado Victims

Nebraska Gov. Mike Johanns has awarded $800,000 in grant funding from the Nebraska Affordable Housing Trust Fund (NAHTF) to two community action agencies to assist residents in disaster designated counties who were affected by the May tornadoes.

“These grants are designed to re-ignite hope among residents who are determined to rebuild in the communities in which they grew up and raised their families,” the Governor said. “This funding is specifically targeted toward rebuilding communities impacted by the tornadoes. If my conversations with Hallam residents are any indication, many people are determined to do just that.”

The Nebraska Department of Economic Development will administer the grants to the Lincoln Action Program Housing Development Corporation (HDC) in Lincoln and the Blue Valley Community Action Agency in Fairbury. Each will receive $400,000 to distribute to qualified residents to assist with home repair and rehabilitation. Qualification guidelines relate to income levels and previous assistance determinations made by insurance companies and/or the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

The Lincoln Action Program will assist residents in southern Lancaster County including Hallam. The Blue Valley Community Action Agency will assist residents in Gage, Saline and Cass counties. These four counties were the first to receive presidential disaster declarations following the May tornados.

Grants of up to $5,000 for home repairs and up to $10,000 for reconstruction or new construction will be awarded to bring rehabilitated homes into compliance with Housing Quality Standards and to ensure new construction meets local building codes.