Community Economic Development
Overview
Housing Development
Home Buyer Education – SENCA is an approved REACH Affiliate Educator. REACH’s (Readiness, Education, Awareness Collaborative for Homebuyers & Homeowners) mission is to remove the barriers to home ownership through a statewide education delivery system, enhancing the success of home buyers in achieving and maintaining home ownership. From start to finish home buyers are walked through the entire home buying process. Pre-registration is required and a registration fee will be charged. Classes are offered on a scheduled basis. All classes are held at the SENCA Outreach Office in Auburn, 905 Central Avenue.
SENCA HOMES – Home Ownership Makes Economic Sense, thus SENCA offers financial assistance to eligible first-time home buyers for down-payment/closing cost and minor rehabilitation for the home they are purchasing.
Persons interested in applying for assistance through SENCA HOMES are encouraged to complete a pre-application early in the home buying process. Eligibility for assistance is based on income, first-time homebuyer status, completion of SENCA’s homebuyer education program, and permanent financing approval.
Owner-Occupied Housing Rehabilitation – This program assists low to moderate income homeowners with funding used to bring existing housing units up to minimum housing standards. This was a new project for SENCA in 2009 and began in the counties of Richardson and Pawnee. In 2010, the counties of Johnson and Nemaha became eligible for the program. In 2011 the program will be available in the counties of Otoe, Cass, and Sarpy.
Weatherization
SENCA Weatherization is a housing program aimed at reducing energy consumption/costs and improving the health and safety of homes. Priority is given to persons 60 years of age or older, disabled persons, and households with children five and under. Services available include, but are not limited to, minor furnace repair, caulking, weather-stripping, door and window repair/replacement, minor foundation repair, and insulation.
Affordable Housing
Multi-family rental housing and elderly/disabled rental housing units are located in Johnson, Otoe, and Richardson Counties. Qualified household’s rent is based on income. These well-maintained facilities provide residents with affordable, decent, and safe housing.
Transit Services
The Transit system is a low cost service that is available to all residents in Richardson and Pawnee Counties. The transit services are available Monday through Friday. Rides are by appointment only and appointments must be scheduled in advance. The Transit is a collaboration between each of the participating counties and SENCA. If additional information is needed, please call Brenda Guilliams, Transit Supervisor at 245-3664 or Transportation Coordinator, Pam Armknecht at 862-2411 x 105.