The City of Sydney Council on May 27 authorized staff to apply for a Nebraska Affordable Housing Trust Fund (NAHTF) award of up to $750,000 aimed at producing three new homes and down‑payment assistance for qualified buyers.

Brandy, a city staff member leading the proposal, told the council the program would purchase lots, construct three ranch‑style homes (state reviewers prefer accessible designs) and offer up to $30,000 in home‑buyer assistance per house. "We'd construct 3 new homes here in Sydney," Brandy said when outlining the project. She said the city would own the units until they were sold so it could screen buyers against state income limits.

Brandy said the proposed award would include a 10% developer fee upon sale of all three homes (she noted the memo initially listed 20% but the state later adjusted that to 10%). NAHTF funds are reimbursed by the state: the city pays construction or acquisition costs, submits receipts, and is reimbursed from the grant award.

She said at least one local employer has submitted a letter of support and has indicated willingness to provide additional home‑buyer assistance to employees who qualify. Brandy also said a local developer, Integrity Developments, had indicated interest in participating as the selected developer.

Council members asked clarifying questions about household income limits and site suitability. Brandy said site selection work had identified candidate lots (the state dislikes odd‑shaped lots) and that the application could include preliminary site information; she also said the state values accessibility features.

Councilmember Bondegaard moved to authorize the application; Radcliffe seconded. The motion passed 5–0 on roll call. Brandy said the city does not need to provide a local match for this initial phase and that the project is being approached as a trial phase that could lead to additional phases if successful.

Key program details discussed in the meeting: the $750,000 maximum award, three homes to be constructed, up to $30,000 in down‑payment/home‑buyer assistance per home, a 10% developer fee, reimbursement draws from the state, and city ownership until units are sold to ensure state income limits are met. Brandy said preliminary conversations with the state identified Veil Drive as a preferred location for the pilot homes. The council did not approve any construction contracts at the meeting; it approved only the application.