In October of 2020, Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird set a goal in her state of the city address to support 5,000 new, rehabilitated, or subsidized affordable housing units in the city of Lincoln by 2030. Today, about 3½ years later, the Urban Development Department is reporting they’re on track to hit that goal early.
As of April 29, 2024, the City has reached 2,147 units — about 43% of the 5,000-unit goal. That’s an average of ~1.6 units per day since 2020.
At a news conference, Mayor Gaylor Baird was joined by Peter Hind, Urban Development Director; Jake Hoppe, Hoppe Development Managing Partner; and Chris Lamberty, Lincoln Housing Authority Executive Director, to highlight the recent progress report, and programs that support affordable housing.
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.
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, and to view the whole progress report, visit lincoln.ne.gov/affordablehousing.