Five Receive Grants to Create Workforce Housing

PCDC’s GO! Home Phoenix Housing program has sparked the renovation of at least five local homes, and grant funds are available for more projects.

The program launched one year ago with the goal of making it more affordable to purchase and renovate dilapidated homes to turn them into workforce housing.

Joe Ridder, owner of Ridder Custom Building, purchased a home on auction at 915 Garfield and plans to remodel it and resell it by the end of the year with the help of the Phoenix program.

“It had a lot of potential, but it was going to take a lot of money to get it there,” Joe said of the home.

So, he applied for a $5,000 grant to help fund exterior improvements and up to $5,000 in sales tax rebates through PCDC’s housing programs.

Joe said the application process was simple – it took just a few evenings of paperwork – and the turn-around time for approval was quick.

Joe said the property he purchased is a two-story farmhouse that was moved to town many years ago. It features four bedrooms and three bathrooms, and he plans to maintain much of the original character of the home during the remodel.

“It’s going to be real classy when it’s done,” he said.

The final sale price for the home will remain below $225,000, which is a stipulation of the grant program.

Joe said he is excited about future opportunities because of the Phoenix program.

Joe is also working with Holdrege residents Chris and Heather McQuillan with another Phoenix program project at 1219 10th Avenue.

“We are just trying to put more nice properties on the market and keep people in town,” Chris said about their decision to renovate a home for someone else.

The McQuillans also applied for and received the Phoenix grant and the sales tax holiday refund.

“These are some really great programs that PCDC has, and we are super thankful for them,” Chris said.

The McQuillan property is scheduled to be painted in the next few weeks, and Joe estimated it could be ready to sell four to six weeks later.

Carley Bruning, PCDC’s Director of Business Services, said Chanse Beinke and two other contractors have also applied for and received Phoenix program grants. Beinke’s property is currently under construction.

For more information about the Phoenix program grants, contact Carley at PCDC at (308) 995-4148 or Carley@PhelpsCountyNE.com. Visit the website HERE for details on the Phoenix program and other current housing incentives, such as the Down Payment Assistance program for employees who are relocating to Phelps County.