LINCOLN- On Monday, it was announced that NeighborWorks Northeast Nebraska will be receiving around $520,000 from the Nebraska Department of Economic Development. The funds, which come from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's HOME Investment Partnerships Program, will be used to help the nonprofit purchase land and construct affordable housing for people in either Columbus or Norfolk, as well as provide homebuyer assistance. This endeavor will use up $500,000 of the funding.

The remaining $20,000 will be used for organizational operating expenses. Demand for an increase in affordable housing has become more widespread across the state following the Covid-19 pandemic, and has even been brought up by the Nebraska Legislature. In fact, a study released earlier this year by the Nebraska Investment Finance Authority indicated that Nebraska's economic future might hinge on solving its impending "housing crisis."

The study, which collected input from dozens of statewide experts and lawmakers, called for the construction of at least 35,000 new affordable dwellings in the state over the next five years. No specific allocation of funding to carry out the recommendations of the study were provided, but committees were formed earlier this year to work towards the suggested goal.

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