City Ahead of Goal to Increase Affordable Housing

City Ahead of Goal to Increase Affordable Housing

Published on April 29, 2024

Urban Development Department releases new affordable housing progress report

Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird today provided an update on the City's progress toward an affordable housing goal set by her administration to create 5,000 new or rehabbed units by 2030. Since 2020, the City has reached 43% or 2,147 units of its 5,000-unit goal, according to a report released April 29 by the Urban Development Department. The report is available at lincoln.ne.gov/affordablehousing.

"Affordable housing is fundamental to attracting and retaining workforce, supporting business expansion, growing our local economy, and building an equitable and inclusive city," Mayor Gaylor Baird said. "We're ahead of schedule on our goal to create 5,000 new or rehabilitated affordable housing units by 2030 because the City and our partners are committed to ensuring Lincoln offers a wide range of housing opportunities."

Mayor Gaylor Baird and community partners highlighted programs that support affordable housing at a news conference Monday. Joining her were Peter Hind, Urban Development Director; Jake Hoppe, Hoppe Development Managing Partner; Jake Griess, a rental property owner; and Chris Lamberty, Lincoln Housing Authority Executive Director.

Hoppe said that City investments are critical for the hundreds of new affordable units that Hoppe Development has already built and for those under construction.

"City support has closed funding gaps and helped build nearly 400 affordable units over the past four years, and that same support will help build over 900 more in upcoming projects," Hoppe said. "Together, we are expanding affordability and economic activity."

Hoppe developments are part of the many projects supplying new affordable housing with City support. Other large projects since 2020 include Tabitha Intergenerational Living project near 48th and Randolph streets, Union at Middle Creek near SW. 27th and "A" streets, and the Union at Antelope Valley under construction near 18th and "K" streets.

Hind said renovation of existing homes and apartments is critical to increasing affordable housing. He pointed to programs such as the City's Residential Rental Rehabilitation Project, which improve apartments while maintaining affordability. The program, which currently focuses on the South of Downtown neighborhood, offers up to $15,000 per dwelling unit to improve the quality of affordable rental housing by funding upgrades such as energy efficient windows and doors, additional insulation, roofing and foundation repairs, and other structural improvements.

Griess said the program has helped him rehabilitate hundreds of units.

"Improving rental properties requires investment dollars and that typically means rent increases," Griess said. "With the City rental rehab program however, we are able to improve the quality, safety, and comfort for tenants while letting the rents stay affordable. That's a win/win for residents, owners, and the whole community."

Lamberty said City programs that increase the number of units that accept vouchers benefit residents and families in need. Currently, 3,000 households benefit from the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program, he said.

"The City has done amazing work increasing the supply of affordable units," Lamberty said. "Construction and rehab of affordable units is the best way to support and expand housing voucher usage. That means more chances for safe and affordable housing across Lincoln."

For more information on affordable housing resources available to homeowners and renters, visit lincoln.ne.gov/affordablehousing.

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