Organization and Purpose
NeighborWorks® Northeast Nebraska’s Mission
“To develop housing opportunities, empower individuals and families, and strengthen communities.”
NeighborWorks® Northeast Nebraska’s Purpose
NeighborWorks® Northeast Nebraska is a private non-profit 501(c)(3) organization that was created to provide affordable housing opportunities to low to moderate income families and individuals. We serve a nine county area in northeast Nebraska including: Antelope, Boone Cuming, Colfax, Madison, Pierce, Platte, Stanton and Wayne Counties.
NeighborWorks® Northeast Nebraska’s programs provide zero-interest rate down payment assistance loans for families and individuals who meet income guidelines determined by HUD. NeighborWorks® also provides housing rehabilitation to ensure that the homes are safe and energy efficient for the new homeowners. In addition, NeighborWorks® has constructed more than 65 new homes in northeast Nebraska for income-eligible families and provided down payment assistance to them. NeighborWorks® also provides Homebuyer Education each month in English and bi-monthly in Spanish to help potential homebuyers make good decisions throughout their home buying process.
NeighborWorks® Northeast Nebraska History
NeighborWorks® Northeast Nebraska was originally formed as a corporation called Elkhorn Valley Community Development Corporation in November 1995. Roger Nadrchal was named the Executive Director of the corporation, which was and still is governed by a volunteer board of directors.
In November of 2005, Elkhorn Valley Community Development Corporation became a charter member of NeighborWorks® America. This affiliation allows the organization to gain access to a powerful battery of training, research, technical assistance and funding opportunities. NeighborWorks® America created the NeighborWorks® network of community development nonprofits charged with closing the homeownership gap among low-to-moderate income families; improving financial literacy; empowering families to get the most out of the homebuying process; and using community development strategies to improve safety and build wealth. As a result, the NeighborWorks® America network has grown to more than 240 organizations across the nation. Elkhorn Valley Community Development Corporation went one step further by completing the name change process which is now “doing business as” NeighborWorks® Northeast Nebraska since June, 2006.
In July 2007, NeighborWorks® Northeast Nebraska opened the doors to a second office site in Columbus, Nebraska. The NeighborWorks® staff and board recognized that Columbus was experiencing an exceptional need for additional housing due to the demand of the expanding workforce. Because of these community needs, the organization felt it was important to have a presence in the community by establishing an additional office in the community.
NeighborWorks® Northeast Nebraska currently has a staff of six including, Roger Nadrchal, Executive Director; Leslie Coleman, Deputy Director; Mitch Borst, Housing Director; Don Sterup, Housing Director; Michelle Evert, Fiscal Officer; and Jody Carlson, Administrative Assistant.
NeighborWorks® Northeast Nebraska Community Involvement
NeighborWorks® Northeast Nebraska has been actively involved in many different community development projects within the communities that they serve. In Norfolk, NeighborWorks® has developed many new homes in the Meadow Ridge area as well as being involved in the Community Revitalization program. Through this program the city has received a grant to purchase dilapidated homes. These homes are then demolished and the lots are donated to NeighborWorks®. In place of the dilapidated homes a new home is constructed on the lot, improving and reviving the neighborhood. NeighborWorks® is also involved in the NorthFork Riverfront Project in Norfolk which is planned to develop the area along the Northfork River in Norfolk by bringing in new businesses, homes and tourism to the area.
A program similar to the Community Revitalization program in Norfolk has been implemented in the community of Schuyler and a newly constructed home has been built and is ready for purchase. Future new construction projects are being planned for the community of Schuyler and another partnership is being formed. In the past, Schuyler Community Schools has been involved in constructing the only newly constructed homes in the community. Now NeighborWorks® will be partnering with the school as the General Contractor for these projects. This is a win-win situation for the High School and the community of Schuyler. The students learn from the hands-on experience of building a home while the community benefits by having a new home to improve their housing stock.
The city of Columbus is planning a new neighborhood called Bradshaw Place. NeighborWorks® Northeast Nebraska has been selected as the developer for this new housing development in which approximately 43 new homes will be constructed. NeighborWorks® will be constructing many of the homes in this neighborhood and providing down-payment assistance to the families and individuals who are purchasing the homes. This will add much-needed homes to the housing stock in the city of Columbus. NeighborWorks® will also be involved in a Community Revitalization program in the city of Columbus, building new homes on lots where dilapidated homes once stood.
