The HomeNE Learning Network is designed to connect and engage rural community leaders with one another and explore innovative approaches to housing development and redevelopment. The long-term goal of HomeNE is to foster the development of local expertise to successfully assess and address their housing needs.


Through our educational sessions, we hope to provide you with the knowledge and tools you need to fulfill your organization/community goals and create a better Nebraska!

Events


REGISTRATION


Next Webinar - November 20, 2025


Monthly Webinars: 2:00 - 3:00 PM (CT) every third Thursday of the month (January through November) - Hear from a variety of presenters about programs, projects, successes and lessons learned.  Then seek to design and apply what you heard to your own housing situation!


HomeNE WEBINAR RECORDINGS

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By Sheri Alber October 16, 2025
Creative Methods that Spur Community Revitalization: Proactive Redevelopment of Commercial and Residential Properties in Ord, Nebraska
By Sheri Alber September 18, 2025
In the September HomeNE webinar focused on community engagement and housing challenges in Cumming County, David Branch highlighted the successful Give Get Grow program, which supported local businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic. He then provided a detailed overview of ongoing housing projects aimed at expanding affo
By Sheri Alber August 22, 2025
The August HomeNE featured Amos Anson sharing insights on entrepreneurship, housing, and revitalization, urging support for trades and small developers. #HomeNE #SkilledTrades
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By Sheri Alber July 18, 2025
Clearing the Decks for More Effective Housing Development: Local Government Edition

Top 10 Webinars

July 15, 2021
Candice Alder and Andy Colvin, Economic Development in Norfolk, shared the journey with the city from 2013-2020.
April 15, 2021
Andrew Willis, partner with Cline Williams Wright Johnson & Oldfather, presented about looking beyond the 'typical' redevelopment projects within a community and how a CRA can help create infill housing opportunities.
November 19, 2020
Consultant for MA Barnhart Enterprises, LLC, Marty Barnhart, presented on a guide to getting a Nebraska Land Bank started in your region.
March 19, 2020
In this session, Doug Koch (President of Petersburg Industrial Development Corporation) and Michelle Olson (Executive Director at Boone County Development Agency), their journey of developing housing in a rural community.
May 16, 2019
Megan Spargo, Benkelman CRA Coordinator, shared the Benkelman Foundation Story, which touches on a community gaining traction, getting community buy-in, and preparing a community for housing.
September 20, 2018
John Madsen and Mark Stracke, of Stuart Development Corporation, discussed the power of perseverance how that played into the role of the housing programs in Stuart, Nebraska.
July 19, 2018
During this webinar, Gary Person & Lou Ann Tooker discussed housing solutions with the Local Sales TAX LB840. Lou Ann Tooker, the Director of Economic Development for the City of Atikinson, Nebraska, talked about the various spec houses that they were developing.
June 14, 2018
Guest presenter, Nancy Striebel, the Executive Director of Lincoln County Community Development Corporation discussed nontraditional houses and how finances can cause a barrier with potential home owners.
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February 15, 2018
Marty Barnhart, Executive Director of Omaha Municipal LandBank presented during the 2018 February HomeNE Webinar.

HOUSING STUDY LITE

Nebraska Community Housing Study Lite Toolkit

This Toolkit (“Kit”) was developed to empower community leaders to conduct self-learning and engagement, taking the initial steps to tackle a locally-identified housing challenge. The Kit contains templates, survey examples, and process recommendations that can be utilized by small, rural communities to implement self-information gathering of the current housing conditions and needs. 


The use of the Kit will work best for a community that is guided by a Facilitator or Planner with community development planning experience (such as a Development District). This exercise can increase the usefulness of an independent, third-party Housing Market Study or Housing Needs Assessment.