City vote could end century of housing shortage

NEBRASKA CITY -  City commissioners voted unanimously Monday to use $460,000 in federal American Recovery funds to buy land and develop a construction plan for housing that could end the city’s century-long housing shortage.

Economic Developer Dan Mauk reminded city commissioners that the community has not grown in terms of population in over 100 years.

Mauk: “That is putting pressure on our school system, putting pressure on all the units of government … to address the biggest weakness that we’ve had forever. Go back to the 1800s, you’ll see a New-Press article about housing being a concern.”

 He said the American Recovery funds are a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to buy property for housing without raising local taxes.

He said housing promises a return on investment. Mauk said construction of 50 homes will provide $1 million in revenue back to the city in sales and property taxes. There would also be $1.4 million for taxes to the school system.

Mauk: “This lack of housing limits other opportunities. We have almost 3,000 people drive into the county each day to work from elsewhere. It stands to reason that many of those would live here, if they had the opportunity.”

He said signs of housing growth would help economic development work.

Mauk: “We’re constantly getting to second base, we have even got to third base on projects, but when they get digging into it, they look at the ability of the town to supply the workforce that is needed for their projects, and they say what are you doing on housing. This would be a great thing to talk to them about.”

Housing demand is evident. By the time 28 units came available at the project near the hospital, there was a waiting list and that waiting list has now grown to 128 people.

Mauk said  36 units are being built near Northside Elementary School  and are being rented out as soon as they become available about 28 percent higher than normal market rate.

Mauk: “That tells you that demand has been pent up for a long time.”

Dan DeFreece of CHI Health St. Mary’s Hospital said employees are frequently frustrated by not finding suitable housing in the city limits.

DeFreece: “Something like this, for us, the recruiting, bringing in professionals, those types of things – having not just this housing but housing in general is a priority and is very important.”

Street Commissioner Vic Johns encouraged citizens to stay involved in the process.

Johns: “What we’re trying to do is secure the land, which is like a blank canvass. There will be a series of meetings that you will all be made aware of to help sculpt, you know, the roads, you’ll have opportunity, but you have to go to those meetings.”

The land purchased passed on a 5-0 vote. City Administrator Lou Leone said the next steps are to attempt to secure a contract for the land purchase.