NEBRASKA CITY- Nebraska City commissioners are considering the creation of a workforce housing incentive plan.

A public hearing was held Monday to authorize the use of tax increment financing for construction of workforce housing. The plan was allow TIF in neighborhoods identified by city commissioners.

Owner-occupied housing units that cost no more than $300,000 to construct or rental housing that costs no more than $235,000 to construct.

TIF would also be available for upper-story housing.

City commissioners will have full authority to determine if workforce housing TIF fits a community need and the current market and economic conditions.

Hanna Keelan Associates says redevelopment areas must have been declared blighted and substandard based Nebraska legislation that defines factors such as substandard living conditions, overcrowding and resident incomes.

The city clerk’s office will maintain a map of redevelopment areas.

City Administrator Perry Mader said the maximum TIF period would be 15 years.

Mader said the city hopes the new workforce housing will free up existing homes and alleviate gridlock in the local housing market.