North Omaha community leaders express support for Harris housing plan

Housing advocates gathered in North Omaha to express their support for presidential candidate Kamala Harris’ affordable housing plan within her economic policy proposal.

The plan includes tax incentives for developers constructing starter homes and up to $25,000 in down payment assistance for first-time home buyers who have paid rent on time for at least two years.

The proposal also includes a $40 billion federal fund for local governments to fund housing solutions.

State Sen. Terrell McKinney, who represents a North Omaha district in the Nebraska legislature, said the Harris plan would help the community continue to make progress in affordable housing.

“Housing is often the biggest part of a family's monthly budget, and it's the most crucial for safety, security and dignity," he said. "That's why I'm so glad to see someone at the national level who understands that and is doing something about it.”

McKinney, Omaha developer Don Curry and community organizer Kimara Snipes spoke in front of a construction site for a new affordable housing project at 16th and Emmet streets in North Omaha.

The project was funded through a low interest loan from a local nonprofit and developed by Curry.

Curry said nonprofits and the Nebraska Affordable Housing Trust Fund have helped the neighborhood build some new housing, but additional funds from the federal government would help him accomplish more redevelopment projects. He said the programs could benefit from a "full blitz on marketing" to developers.

"There is a series of developers like myself that have personal connections to certain communities that we want to see developed and I just happen to be in the particular neighborhood in which I grew up in," he said. "I want to see this neighborhood pretty much developed and looked like it once did."

Snipes said she had to step down from her position on the Omaha School Board because she was unable to find affordable housing and she is excited about Harris' plan for first-time home buyers.

"I have paid $1,300 in rent for almost three years, and I do it on time," she said. "To think that this plan could reward behavior like that gives me hope."

According to Zillow, the median home value in Omaha is $284,911, up around 3% from last year.