Financial incentives offered through the NCK Home Ownership Pilot Program’s 2019 expansion to Ellsworth and Lincoln counties assisted in the purchase of 10 homes in Ellsworth County, 6 homes in Lincoln County and 1 in Mitchell County.
The program officially expanded to Ellsworth and Lincoln counties in June 2019. It assisted home buyers with down payment and closing cost assistance. The total value of the 17 homes was $1.4 million, with $204,000 coming from the pilot program.
The NCRPC administered the program offered by its new housing non-profit, NCK Housing Opportunities, Inc. The non-profit serves Cloud, Ellsworth, Jewell, Lincoln, Mitchell, Ottawa, Republic, and Saline Counties. An award from the Dane G. Hansen Foundation of Logan, Kansas, assisted in the creation of the loan and grant pool, along with a donation from the NCKCN NCK Business Development Fund.
Of the home buyers who used the pilot programs in each county, 41% reported taking a new job in the last 12 months and 44% reported the program was a factor in their decision to take the job. In addition, 64% bought their first home. Results also indicated that 45% of new residents who moved to their community within the last 12 months were between 30 and 49 years of age. According to research by University of Minnesota Extension Educator Ben Winchester, this average age group is the most likely to move to a rural area.
Similar pilot programs have been completed in the City of Marysville and Cloud and Mitchell Counties. Another pilot began in Dickinson County in March. Additional pilot programs are scheduled to launch in Ottawa and Republic Counties in late April. Learn more about the Home Ownership program.
This article appeared in the March 2020 NCRPC Newsletter.
