LINCOLN- Over the weekend, it was announced that three nonprofits have been awarded a total of $7.5 million in state funds to construct more affordable housing in urban areas of the state. The grants, which required at least a 50% match from the nonprofit, are the latest allotments from the state's Middle Income Workforce Housing Investment Fund, which was established by the Nebraska Legislature in 2020.

According to Sen. Tony Vargas, roughly $10 million remains in the three-year-old fund, which aims to expand housing in older and higher-minority neighborhoods in Douglas, Sarpy, and Lancaster Counties. Vargas went on to state that he'd like to see the remaining funds disbursed by the Department of Economic Development quicker than in the past, since that will allow Nebraska to better meet the growing housing demand.

"This is about economic development for the working and middle class," said Vargas, adding that he would like to continue to push for more funding for the program, especially after Gov. Jim Pillen vetoed legislation that would have added $20 million to the Middle Income Housing Fund and another $20 million to a similar fund meant to build rural affordable housing. Winning recipients of the latest disbursement include Habitat for Humanity of Omaha, Holy Name Housing Corporation, and Nebraska Housing Resource.

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