FAIRBURY, Neb. -- The First United Presbyterian Church in Fairbury hosted a housing panel Tuesday evening at its church building. 

The panel saw a good turnout from the community and was focused on discussing rental options for families, home ownership, and other housing related topics. 

Members from Blue Valley Community Action, Southeast Nebraska Collaborative, the Housing Authority and others came to give the public answers to some important housing questions. 

“I think that community forums like this are important because I think that there were a lot of people, even here tonight, that did not realize all of the services that our community has to offer,” said Kim Clark, Blue Valley Community Action Housing Director. “So, if you could not make it tonight, I encourage you to come to future forums because they are very informative. I, myself, even learned a lot and learned about some other services.”

Dave Conde, the Ministry Coordinator at First United Presbyterian Church, put together the event and was in charge of the discussion. 

He said he saw the need in the town for housing clarification and needed to act. 

“For me, it’s because I love this town," Conde said. "I love this community and I certainly love this church. But when I look around Fairbury, I see need. I see people that need to be connected. Some need help. Some need to understand better what the resources in our town are and how they can find the help that they need.”

Clark said she is grateful for her passion for housing and to be able to inform people about resources around town. 

“It feels great," Clark said. "Of course, I am very passionate about housing because I love what I do. To be able to help people, and let them know what resources are available because so many don’t know that these resources are available. It’s a great feeling to be a part of the community.”

The first forum at the church back in February was a health care forum with members from Jefferson Community Health and Life in attendance. 

Conde says he does not know when the next forum will be but Tuesday’s forum can be watched on the church’s Facebook page.