Nebraska
Rent aid program for needy Nebraskans “on track,” with much of the $48M still available • Nebraska Examiner
LINCOLN — A once-controversial emergency rent aid program has distributed about $11 million to eligible Nebraskans, leaving more than three-quarters of $48 million available following its September launch.
Except for a funding bottleneck at the beginning, administrators are pleased with the rollout of the latest round of pandemic-related Nebraska Emergency Rental Assistance, said Shannon Harner, executive director of the Nebraska Investment Finance Authority.
“We’re pretty happy,” said Harner, whose NIFA team is leading the ERA II effort. “The flow of getting funds out continues to speed up. That is also positive.”
Given that the federally-provided funding had been shut off for a year, pent-up demand led to some challenges early on, Harner said. Extra staffing helped get the process to a better pace and smoother disbursement of funds, she said.
Since late September, about 1,800 applicants who represent almost all of Nebraska’s 91 smaller, more rural counties have received funding, according to an update provided by NIFA.
Renters in the state’s largest two counties of Douglas and Lancaster are not eligible for this pool of funds, but each of those counties was able to apply for and distribute its own ERA aid.
Overall, the average amount of assistance delivered to households in the eligible counties has been about $6,262. Sarpy County has had the most participants.
The bulk of financial help has been directed at rent — about $7 million for past-due bills and $3.8 million for future payments. However, a slice also has gone toward utilities and to help renters catch up on overdue internet bills.
Harner said that NIFA and its “community collaborative partners” have been working diligently to distribute the emergency aid to households who prove they had financial hardship during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We understand the relief and stability this program has provided to so many families across the state, and we continue to encourage anyone who believes they may qualify to apply,” she said.
Under program guidelines, funds are to be distributed until they run out or until September 2025, and they do not have to be paid back.
NIFA’s hope, Harner said, is to get at least 75% of the $48 million spent by the year’s end. “We believe we are on track,” she said.
Once that 75% point is reached, she said, the program guidelines allow remaining funds to be directed toward building affordable housing.
“We look at that as having a better long-term impact,” said Harner.
She said it was too early to know how many dwellings might be created or in what form they would be built.
But she said it was likely such remaining dollars would be directed toward the low-income housing tax credit program administered by NIFA.
A sample of representatives who work with low-income families across the state said this ERA II process has gone smoother, especially in comparison with the previous one.
Many advocates, renters and landlords had voiced complaints to lawmakers and state officials about the management of the first round of emergency rental aid to the 91 counties.
They said the previous contractor, Deloitte, an audit and financial services firm, had created a cumbersome online application process that kept many needy Nebraskans from accessing the aid.
Low participation rate was among reasons cited by then-Gov. Pete Ricketts when he refused to tap the second round of rent aid dollars that the federal government had set aside for the 91 Nebraska counties. Ricketts said that the pandemic was over and that Nebraska should guard against becoming a “welfare state.”
State lawmakers stepped in but the Legislature fell one vote short of overriding a gubernatorial veto on a bill that would have forced Ricketts’ hand in accepting the aid.
Gov. Jim Pillen, after he was elected, bucked Ricketts’ stance and accepted what was left of the original $120 million that was to go to the state’s 91 smaller counties. By then, certain deadlines had been missed, and much of the original allocation went back to the federal government and was redirected to other states.
NIFA was tapped to lead the second ERA phase — which Harner said will be the last tranche for those American Rescue Plan Act emergency rental and utility funds.
Tanya Gifford of Lift Up Sarpy County said she has seen improvement in the program after early sluggishness in getting the rental aid distributed.
“It started out bumpy. They were obviously not staffed adequately,” she said of the call center.
Now, Gifford said, clients are seeing a three- to four-week processing time, which she said is fair.
NIFA officials, she said, have been “super responsive.”
Araceli Santos-Ayala of the McCook area Community Action Partnership of Mid-Nebraska said most landlords she has dealt with have been patient. The landlords must participate, and are the receivers of the rent aid.
“We might have a hiccup here or there — but knowing there is someone to email, ask questions of or get clarification is great,” she said. “I haven’t had anybody get denied at this point. I tell them it can take time and try to ease them by explaining the process.”
Harner said fraudulent applications also have slowed the process at times. Most have been discovered prior to money being disbursed, so not many applicants have been turned over to the state authorities, she said.
Sandy Nation is a housing advocate who assists ERA applicants in northeast Nebraska.
“The ERA program has helped so many families get past a really difficult time, especially in rural communities where housing is in short supply,” Nation said.
“I’ve spoken to people who think they may not qualify, but I always say, you don’t know unless you apply, Nation said. “The ability to get caught up on past-due payments and build a cushion for future needs relieves a lot of stress and provides a sense of stability.”
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Breaststroke and IM specialist Easton Glandt will continue her swimming career at Florida Gulf Coast University in the fall of 2025. A senior at Omaha Marian High School in Nebraska, Glandt currently trains with Greater Omaha Aquatics. She has been the fastest swimmer at Omaha Marian in the 100 breast and 200 IM in all four years of her high school career.
Glandt set personal bests in the 200 breast and 400 IM last month at the IA IFLY A3 Midwest Challenge (SCY).
Her time of 2:19.59 in the 200 breast earned her 2nd place overall, and her 4:30.58 in the 400 IM secured 3rd place. Both times qualified her for the 2025 USA Swimming Futures Championship in Madison. She also achieved Futures cuts in the 100 breast (1:03.97) and 200 IM (2:05.25) at the meet. In the finals, she placed 2nd in the 100 breast and 3rd in the 200 IM.
Glandt became the 2024 NSAA Champion (SCY) in the 200 IM in February as a junior, setting a lifetime best of 2:04.11. She also placed 2nd in the 100 breast with a time of 1:03.80, her best in the event. In the prelims of the 200 free relay, Glandt led off with a personal best time of 24.08. Marian went on to win the event, finishing 1st in the finals.
She was also a two-time champion at the 2024 Metro Conference Championship in the 100 breast and 200 IM, posting times of 1:04.20 and 2:06.46.
Top SCY Times
- 100 breast – 1:03.80
- 200 breast – 2:19.59
- 200 IM – 2:04.11
- 400 IM – 4:30.58
Florida Gulf Coast University placed 3rd overall for the women at the 2024 ASUN Championships, where Glandt’s best time in the 200 IM would have qualified her for the ‘A’ final. Despite bringing only five swimmers, the team also finished 25th at the 2024 CSCAA National Invitational Championship, which included over fifty teams from across the country. Texas Christian University won the invitational, followed by Akron in second and Kentucky in third.
Glandt has the potential to make a significant impact at FGCU in the 200 IM and breaststroke events. Her best 200 IM time would have ranked 1st on the team last season, while her 100 breast time would have ranked 2nd, behind Jenna Gwinn, who has since graduated. Gwinn’s top time last season was 1:01.84.
Glandt will join Libby Freeman, Ipek Burcu Aydiner, Bianka Barna, and Sydney Ringwald as part of the 2025 recruiting class for FGCU. Other recruits in this class also have the potential to strengthen the IM and breaststroke groups. Barna’s converted SCM time in the 100 breast is 1:02.05, and her converted 200 IM time is 2:03.96. Aydiner’s converted LCM time in the 200 IM is 2:02.08.
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As Nebraska prepares for its matchup against Boston College in the Pinstripe Bowl, the Huskers will be facing a different challenge under center than they would have a little over a month ago. With former starter Thomas Castellanos entering the transfer portal in November, Boston College has turned to junior quarterback Grayson James to lead its offense.
James, a transfer from FIU, has taken on a much larger role for the Eagles after Castellanos’ departure. While he doesn’t possess the dynamic rushing ability of Castellanos, James brings a steadier presence in the passing game. At 6-foot-3, James is more of a traditional pocket passer, relying on quick reads and efficient decision-making rather than scrambling to create plays.
James had limited opportunities this season before November, but he made the most of his starts once he took over the job. He stepped in earlier this year against Western Kentucky when Castellanos was unavailable, leading Boston College to a 21-20 comeback victory. James was calm under pressure, throwing a game-winning 8-yard touchdown pass late in the fourth quarter and adding a critical 1-yard rushing score to spark the Eagles’ rally. He finished that game 19-of-32 for 168 yards while showing his ability to manage a close contest.
In early November, James provided a spark off the bench in Boston College’s win over Syracuse. With the Eagles trailing, James replaced an inconsistent Castellanos in the third quarter and immediately steadied the offense. He went 5-of-6 for 51 yards and a touchdown, helping Boston College score on three straight possessions to complete the comeback. He then started the last three games of the season and went 2-1 in those games, with the only loss coming to SMU.
For Nebraska’s defense, James represents a different kind of test. While Castellanos was known for his ability to create chaos with his legs, James is more comfortable staying in the pocket and delivering accurate throws. This gives Nebraska’s defensive line an opportunity to focus on pressuring James without worrying as much about the quarterback escaping for big gains. However, Boston College’s offense has shown it can rally behind James when he’s in rhythm, so generating pressure early will be key for the Huskers.
Nebraska’s defense, one of the team’s strengths this season, will look to disrupt James’ timing and force him into difficult throws. If the Huskers can collapse the pocket and limit Boston College’s passing game, they’ll put themselves in a strong position to control the game.
The Pinstripe Bowl presents an opportunity for Nebraska to close the season on a high note, but James and Boston College will provide a worthy challenge. While the Eagles have had to adjust since benching their former starter, James has shown he’s more than ready to lead the offense. Nebraska’s preparation and ability to adapt to this newer-look Boston College attack will be crucial as the Huskers look to finish strong in New York.
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