City of Lincoln To Use $6-Million In Private, State Funding to Support Development of Affordable Housing

Dec. 9, 2021, 1:34 p.m. ·

Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird standing in front of a podium with a wall, tv screen and flags behind her.
Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird announces new housing development funds. ( Image courtesy of the City of Lincoln)

The city of Lincoln says it will use a mix of state and private contributions to provide $6 million to assist in the development of affordable housing.

Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird says the $6 million will come in the form of $2 million, replenishable, revolving loans funds to be given to three, housing-focused nonprofits in the city.

"That's a total of $6 million to create more affordable homeownership units in low-income areas to help strengthen these neighborhoods, and most importantly improve people's lives," Baird said.

She says half of the funding was made possible by urban housing legislation passed by the Legislature and half from local, philanthropic matching funds. Director of the Nebraska Department of Economic Development Tony Goins praised the mayor and residents for their efforts toward creating housing.

“We are incredibly fortunate, as a state, that we have decision-makers and leadership, who understand the importance of housing and are willing to invest in strong partnerships to get it done," Goins said.

Mayor Gaylor Baird said this and other recent announcements on housing creation reflect the city’s goal of creating 5,000 affordable housing units by 2030.