PCDC Housing Programs Spark Housing Boom in Loomis

PCDC’s housing incentives have sparked the construction of three new spec homes in Loomis plus the upcoming demolition of dilapidated properties in Holdrege and Bertrand to create space for new homes.

The GO! Home programs are part of an overall effort to increase the availability of workforce housing in the county. The incentives include sales-tax rebates, grants or loans to develop empty properties or raze dilapidated homes to create lots for new construction, and employer-matching down-payment assistance for new residents.

Janet Boehler, PCDC board member and Legacy Purpose Homes Manager, said Loomis has had empty home lots for years, so this seemed like the perfect opportunity to step up and make something happen.

Champion Homes, a modular home builder in York, is currently building the three Loomis homes that will be moved onto unfinished basements. The final homes prices will range from an estimated $185,000 to $225,000 and should be ready for move-in by April or May. Big Prairie Homes of Kearney is the general contractor for the project.

The homes will range in size and style:

• One property includes a two-bedroom, two-bathroom 1,100-square-foot home with an unfinished basement, a two-car garage, and two egress windows in the basement.
• The second home will be a 1,400-square-foot, two-story home with two bedrooms, two and a half bathrooms and a two-car garage. It will also have an unfinished basement with one egress window.
• The third home is the largest at 1,595 square feet. It will feature three bedrooms, two bathrooms, a two-car garage and an unfinished basement with two egress windows.

One of the homes will be located on Bryan Street, and the other two homes will be a block away on a street that is yet to be named. The homes are located about three blocks north of the Loomis Public School on the west side of town.

The developer for the Loomis project is Legacy Purpose Homes, which is part of Legacy Purpose LLC, a local business led by Roger Allmand. Janet is the business manager for the company.

“We aren’t looking to get into the developer business,” Roger said. “But, if we can help the community, that’s our goal.”

Roger said the PCDC GO! Home incentives made the prices low enough that it was worth testing the waters with the Loomis housing projects. If this pilot project is successful, Legacy Purpose may consider developing additional housing in the county.

PCDC has also purchased lots in Bertrand and Holdrege with plans to demolish the dilapidated homes on those properties. The organization has sought bids for the demolition work and will then offer the lots to developers.

For more information about PCDC’s GO! Home incentives, please contact Ron Tillery at (308) 995-4148 or email at Ron@PhelpsCountyNE.com.

For more information about the spec homes in Loomis, please contact Janet Boehler at (308) 991-3024 or email at boehlerjanet@gmail.com.

Download a flyer with details on PCDC’s GO! Home incentives here: GO! Home Flyer