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County reviews housing stabilization pilot, HUD reapplication and nonprofit fund balances
Summary
Douglas County staff described a housing stability pilot, asked for $20,000 to run two cohorts of financial education, said they will reapply for HUD supportive-housing funds and flagged that nonprofit ERC receipts and declining city grants affect partners’ reserves.
Douglas County housing and human services staff outlined a financial education pilot and broader housing-stabilization work during the July 9 budget hearings, and told commissioners they plan to reapply for a permanent supportive housing NOFO.
Kristen Egan, program manager for Douglas County Housing & Human Services, described a pilot financial education program that completed its first cohort and asked the commission for $20,000 to run two cohorts in 2027. The program partners with a nonprofit already working with single female-headed households; the first cohort completed five required in-person sessions and two one-on-one coaching sessions, with staff promising outcome data after the current cohort finishes.
On permanent supportive housing, staff said a $321,000 housing assistance line is programmed in 2027 contingent on winning a HUD NOFO. "The NOFO is open," staff said, but they warned a lawsuit could delay awards and that the county and statewide partners are preparing applications.
Commissioners also probed nonprofit finances. Cottonwood staff clarified that a recent Employee Retention Credit (ERC) payment for pandemic-period claims arrived in 2025 and inflated fund balance but is not recurring. Visiting Nurse Association representatives explained they have two separate funds — a restricted $5 million held with the community foundation and a $7 million fund available for operational gaps — against an approximately $8 million operating budget. Andrea Walker of Just Food said federal commodity programs have reduced poundage (TFAP) and that a $85,000 united fund at the Douglas County Community Foundation had been largely spent.
Commissioners discussed whether a joint city–county strategic session would help align AHAB and other funding streams; staff agreed to provide follow-up details on program outcomes, geography of HSC applicants and HUD application plans. No formal votes occurred.
