NORFOLK, Neb. (KTIV/US92) -
For the first time in the 17 year history of the Norfolk,
Nebraska Habitat For Humanity Chapter, a total of four new homes have been
dedicated at once.
Since the Habitat For Humanity program began in Norfolk back in 1995, the
average homes built per year is one to one and one-half. But, thanks to a lot
of sweat equity and some new sources of funding, a new record has been
set, leaving four families smiling! Funding was made available through a grant
from the Nebraska Department of Economic Development and the Nebraska Affordable
Housing Trust Fund.
In addition, one of the homes also received a first of it's
kind loan. This is the first time in Nebraska that USDA Rural Development has
partnered with Habitat For Humanity. USDA State Director Maxine Moul was on
hand Saturday and said there's more funding where that came from. She said in
2011, there was 106 million dollars in loans available, while in 2012, there is
154 million available for loaning. Habitat officials say most of the
construction work was done by students at Northeast Community College, who is
one of Habitat's many partners. The organization's latest home is already under
construction.
