The proposed bill establishes the Home Weatherization Clearinghouse within the Department of Environment and Energy in Nebraska, addressing the ongoing crisis of affordable quality housing in the state. The legislation emphasizes the need to streamline and enhance existing housing, weatherization, and home improvement programs to improve access to affordable homes and modernize aging housing stock. The clearinghouse will serve as a primary contact point for individuals seeking grants, loans, or other funding for home weatherization projects, and will coordinate efforts among various state and local agencies to maximize federal funding for these initiatives.

Additionally, the clearinghouse will prioritize funding for whole-home rehabilitation projects, ensuring that grants aimed at such projects receive maximum funding support as permitted by relevant grant programs. The bill also stipulates that administrative costs for entities managing these grant programs should not exceed ten percent of program costs unless specifically required by the applicable grant guidelines. This legislative effort aims to enhance housing quality and availability, thereby supporting population attraction, workforce development, and overall economic health in Nebraska.