Canterbury Estates Groundbreaking

Finding a house or apartment that feels like home is not easy. Finding one that meets the needs of people with special needs is even more challenging. Residents of Sidney with physical or mental impairments will soon have new options for accessible housing.

The Sidney Housing Authority determined several years ago that people with disabilities sometimes struggle to find housing within the community. Funded in partnership between the Nebraska Department of Economic Development (DED), the Nebraska Investment Finance Authority and Midwest Housing Equity Group, the Canterbury Estates housing development will provide 10 new one- and two-bedroom apartment units on Canterbury Lane, designed for persons with disabilities in mind.

"Canterbury Estates is a special needs project conceived about seven years ago," Tamara Nelsen, chairman of the Sidney Housing Authority, said at the groundbreaking for the future housing units Wednesday.

The project will include six two-bedroom units and four one-bedroom units. Each unit will include refrigerators, stoves, washers and dryers, under cabinet microwaves, deluxe roll-in showers and off-street parking. The apartments are of brick construction and designed to compliment the existing units in the area.

The estimated cost of the project is about $1.7 million, including architectural design and supervision, hard construction costs, land grading and clearing, replacement and operating reserve funding as well as fees to syndicators and NIFA for the Low-Income Housing and AHC(state) Tax Credits.

Nelsen said the project is being built on land already owned by the Housing Authority, making the process easier. She added that the units are the same design as apartments completed recently in Gering, making the process easier and less expensive.

After the ground breaking, Rick Lehl, contractor, Total Quality Maintenance, said the goal is for people to move into the new units by July. Work is underway to have the foundation completed and framing underway before winter settles in.

"As the city council's representative, I can't tell you how much work went into this," vice-mayor Roger Galloway said about the extensive planning and meetings applied to seeing the vision become reality. "It is exciting to bring this kind of project forward."

The Housing Authority successfully accessed federal funding, administered through the State of Nebraska, to assist with the project. With initial construction bids coming in higher than anticipated, developer Canterbury Estates and Housing Authority officials worked with partners to secure added funds through the National Housing Trust Fund (HTF) and the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit.

HTF - a federal Housing and Urban Development (HUD) program administered on behalf of Nebraska by DED - is available to Nebraska nonprofit organizations and public housing authorities to provide housing for low-income individuals and families.

"The National Housing Trust Fund is a federal resource administered by DED to help communities provide quality housing for at-need populations," said DED Director Dave Rippe. "We commend Sidney for successfully leveraging the program to create new, accessible housing options in their area."

Sidney Housing Authority was awarded a total of $600,000 in HTF funds to complete the Canterbury Estates project.

"We are really pleased to partner with the City of Sidney for Canterbury Estates," said Clem Schumacher, vice president of Security First Bank.

In accordance with HUD guidelines, four of the 10 households served by the new development will be at or below 30 percent of Cheyenne County's Area Median Income (AMI) of $15,850 for a family of one and $18,100 for a family of two. The remaining six households will be at or below 50 to 60 percent of the AMI, or roughly $26,400 for a family of one and $30,150 for a family of two. Housing Choice Vouchers or Section 8 will provide rental assistance for income-qualified households. Security First Bank in Sidney is providing a construction loan of $1,212,000 as a local partner in this venture.

Planning for Canterbury Estates was spearheaded by architect Rod Laucomer, of Lincoln, with Total Quality Maintenance, Independent Plumbing, Snell's Services, Steve Fertig Masonry and others providing subcontracting services.

The prime property will feature three buildings - a duplex and two four-plex units.

"Midwest Housing Equity Group is honored to partner with the Sidney Housing Authority, NIFA and DED to provide this much-needed safe, decent and affordable housing. These rental homes will dramatically change the lives of 10 families for a better tomorrow," said MHEG President/CEO, John Wiechmann.

People with disabilities may have problems breathing, walking, working or performing other tasks. The one-level apartments have been designed for as-needed wheelchair access, and can be modified to facilitate hearing or sight impairments. Each apartment will feature a stove, refrigerator, microwave and washer-dryer combo. A deluxe roll-in shower, zero-scape landscape, built-in community gardens and off-street parking will round out the project. All utilities will be included in the affordable rent. Section 8 vouchers will be available for all tenants.

"We are excited that Sidney Housing Authority was able to utilize both the federal Low Income Housing Tax Credit and the Nebraska Affordable Housing Tax Credit administered by NIFA," said Tim Kenny, NIFA's Executive Director. "Sidney Housing Authority should be applauded for recognizing the needs in their community and providing housing for those with disabilities."

Additional perks of living at Canterbury Estates will include owner-paid renter's insurance, prepaid Sidney Stage Coach vouchers and weekly trash roll-out assistance.

For more information, or to be placed on the waiting list for the new apartments, please contact Nancy Bentley or Cindi Taylor at 308-254-3670. Note that there is no requirement to demonstrate disability income as proof of disability status.