NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

ON APPLICATION FOR

FEDERAL RESOURCES

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on November 26th, 2024 at 1504 Harney St, Omaha, NE 68102 (Hotel Deco – Park Room), H.E.L.P. Foundation of Omaha, Inc. will hold a public hearing concerning an application to the Nebraska Department of Economic Development for an Investment Partnership (HOME) award. This funding is available to eligible entities for local affordable housing activities.

H.E.L.P. Foundation of Omaha, Inc. is requesting $750,000 of Investment Partnership (HOME) funds for the Civic Square Affordable new construction multi-family affordable housing and commercial space development. The City of Omaha has faced a shortage in affordable housing for years, highlighted by the 2022 Omaha Housing Authority Action Plan which stated the City of Omaha will need nearly 30,000 additional housing units by 2030, with 60% of that need being for affordable units. The Civic Square Affordable project will bring affordability to a development situated in the urban core, constructing 104 affordable units, with ground floor commercial space, community room and storm shelter, on the northwest parcel of the Civic Square site. The address is 301 N 19th St, Omaha, NE, 68102. The $750,000 Investment Partnership (HOME) award will be utilized for hard construction costs. The redevelopment is also utilizing low-income housing tax credits from Nebraska Investment Finance Authority ($1,300,000 per year of LIHTC for ten years & $1,300,000 per year of AHTC for six years), Owner Equity ($2,000,000), Permanent Loan(s) ($9,125,000), American Rescue Plan Act – QCT Affordable Housing (Metropolitan Class) award ($2,175,000), and a Deferred Developer Fee ($950,000). Our project site was once home to the Civic Auditorium and Music Hall, but after those structures were demolished in 2016, the land has sat vacant. Therefore, there will be no displacement of persons or businesses as a result of this project.

The grant application will be available for public inspection at 1504 Harney St, Omaha, NE 68102 (Hotel Deco – Park Room). All interested parties are invited to attend this public hearing at which time you will have an opportunity to be heard regarding the grant application. Written and oral testimony will also be accepted at the public hearing scheduled for 10:00 A.M., November 26th, 2024, 1504 Harney St, Omaha, NE 68102 (Hotel Deco – Park Room). Written comments addressed to Drew Sova at 10404 Essex Court, Ste 101, Omaha, NE 68114 will be accepted if received on or before November 25th, 2024.

Individuals requiring physical or sensory accommodations including interpreter service, Braille, large print, or recorded materials, please contact Drew Sova at 10404 Essex Court, Omaha NE 68114 no later than November 22nd, 2024. Accommodations will be made for persons with disabilities and non-English speaking individuals provided that a five (5) day notice is received by H.E.L.P. Foundation of Omaha, Inc.

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