County to close out owner‑occupied CDBG housing‑rehab program after one final project

Lancaster County budget and fiscal officer Dennis Meyer told commissioners during a Feb. 24 public hearing that the county’s owner‑occupied housing rehabilitation program (funded with Community Development Block Grant money) assisted 14 households across Waverly, Hickman, Firth, Bennet, Sprague and Raymond, beginning with roughly $420,000 in program funds. After projects, about $43,000 remains in the program.

Meyer said staff and the Nebraska Department of Economic Development determined the county must de‑obligate funds to a level at or below $35,000 to close out the CDBG account and move remaining resources to a planned bridge fund. To reach that threshold, staff will identify and complete one more eligible project; contract amendments and close‑out paperwork will follow.

Brent Pengraff of SEND (housing inspector) encouraged anyone aware of an eligible household in rural Lancaster County to contact SEND for assistance. Meyer said most completed projects averaged around $24,009 in assistance and that the program helped 14 homeowners keep and improve their homes.

Next steps: staff will present a proposed final project and necessary contract amendments to the board, finish required close‑out steps with the state Department of Economic Development, and then formally move remaining funds to the bridge fund as authorized by earlier resolutions.