(KLZA--)Fulton Villa, a multi-family housing facility in Falls City was honored, along with Southeast Nebraska Community Action as the Most Improved Project of the Year for 2016 by USDA Rural Development on Monday. 

USDA Rural Development Nebraska State Director Maxine Moul presented SENCA, the manager and owner of Fulton Villa, with a plaque Monday afternoon. Moul talked about the improvements at the 12-unit facility.

“There were enough reserve funds that SENCA had built-in in this facility so that when there were some occupancy issues, SENCA was able to come in and do renovations and update the apartments,” Moul said. “And now they’re at 100 percent.”

Moul said that’s well worth recognition as these are one of the most improved properties for multi-family housing in the state of Nebraska.

The improvements included new kitchen cupboard and floor covering, bathroom vanities, smoke detectors and bathroom exhaust fans. Prior to the renovation, Fulton Villa had experienced a substantial drop in occupancy, cutting the project income by more than half. 

Since the renovation, the facility is now filled to capacity. 

Moul says there are more than 200 such facilities with more than 1,000 units across Nebraska.

“This has been a wonderful service to these communities and service to the elderly as they retire off the farm or retire from other businesses in the community,” Moul said. “We also have projects that are for families, too.”

Moul said there are a number of single-parent families with children who are living in these units across the state.

“If there is a need, we can provide rental assistance to some of these tenants who need a little additional help in paying their rent,” Moul added.

Fulton Villa was built in 1986.