Housing
Amish finding a home well off the beaten path in Nebraska’s Sandhills
KILGORE — Turn south onto the blacktop out of this Cherry County ranch town, and the Sandhills seem to roll on for an eternity. “Wide-open spaces” aptly describes the endless prairie, where cowboys still work cattle on horseback and stargazers come to get away from city lights. You’re lucky to encounter another vehicle on the […]
‘Out of control’: Advocates rally in D.C. calling for action on housing crisis
WASHINGTON — U.S. Rep. Pramila Jayapal, a Washington state Democrat, joined about 100 tenant advocates at a press event outside the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday to demand action on the housing crisis. Jayapal, who chairs the Congressional Progressive Caucus, called on the Federal Housing Finance Agency to bolster tenant protections and rent regulations. The People’s […]
Round two of emergency rent aid, once a political hot potato, now available to 91 Nebraska counties
BELLEVUE — Just a few days into accepting applications for a new batch of emergency rent aid, the State of Nebraska already has fielded more than 600 requests from 55 counties. “It’s been insanely busy,” Tanya Gifford of Lift Up Sarpy County said Monday between visits with clients seeking the federal assistance. Her organization is […]
Nebraska advocates say ‘Women’s Bill of Rights’ does not focus on needed priorities
LINCOLN — Two of the state’s largest women’s rights groups say a new “Women’s Bill of Rights” misses the mark when seeking to support Nebraska women. Gov. Jim Pillen on Aug. 30 signed the executive order, which defines “male” and “female” for the state’s executive branch and varying agencies, boards and commissions based on the development […]
Nebraska legislative committee ponders the definition of ‘affordable housing’
OMAHA — A Nebraska legislative committee took its first steps Monday to address “affordable housing” in the next legislative session, first by learning how constituents define the term. State Sen. Terrell McKinney, chair of Nebraska’s Urban Affairs Committee, hosted a hearing in North Omaha for Legislative Resolution 138 surrounding the “revolving definition” of affordable housing. The […]
$1.1 million federal grant to revive neglected Omaha park is linked to new affordable housing
OMAHA — A $1.1 million federal grant announced Friday will help resurrect a long-neglected North Omaha park and mesh with a $25 million affordable housing development rising nearby. Myott Park, near 52nd Street and Sorensen Parkway, is to expand and be revived with a new amphitheater, picnic pavilions, walking and cycling trails and courts for […]
Two NE nonprofits to host free Omaha clinic on building generational wealth
LINCOLN — Two Nebraska organizations are partnering to offer free individualized sessions Aug. 12 on how homeowners can build generational wealth. The Omaha sessions will delve into how the homeowner can have more control over the future of their home, and how family benefits can accrue from that asset. The generational wealth clinic sessions, co-hosted […]
$45 million ‘Nook’ housing project seeks to fit in deep-rooted Omaha neighborhood
OMAHA — A new $45.6 million housing development is poised to rise around the edges of the former Grace University campus, bringing a proposed 250 new rental dwellings to a popular area just south of this city’s downtown. Grace closed its doors five years ago after a 75-year run. Since then, a newly built public […]
Omaha officials greenlight the ‘Digs’ apartment project despite neighbor objections
OMAHA — The controversial Digs housing project, which spotlighted parking concerns and growing pains of a redefining urban core, is moving forward after a vote of approval Tuesday by the Omaha City Council. The governing body of Nebraska’s largest city also supported the developer’s request for $4.1 million in public tax-increment financing. Under developer Uptown […]
$46 million ‘Digs’ project fuels debate about parking squeeze in Omaha’s urban core
OMAHA — Pat O’Donnell says he’s all for development, especially in his childhood stomping grounds where walking, biking and newer housing is replacing shady activity that once was the norm. The Omaha native loves watching seats fill up in the trendy new corner coffee shop, The Mill at 31st and Leavenworth Streets, and welcomes other […]
After $17 million revamp, two Omaha historic sites are set to open as affordable housing
OMAHA — In a $17 million renovation project years in the making, two historic structures, one built over 130 years ago, are ready to provide affordable housing in one of Omaha’s oldest and evolving neighborhoods. Between the Georgia Row Apartments and adjacent Hanscom Apartments, 75 homes, including family-size dwellings, will be available to renters whose […]
Despite dismissal of appeal, advocates see opportunity for justice for those facing eviction
LINCOLN — Attorneys for renters facing eviction are expressing optimism that help will be coming for their clients, despite the dismissal Friday of an appeal before the Nebraska Supreme Court. In the appeal, attorneys with Legal Aid of Nebraska and the Nebraska Appleseed Center argued that those facing eviction have a constitutional right to a […]