Today, the Nebraska Department of Economic Development (DED) announced $13,500,000 in awards to nine recipients through the 2024 program year of the Middle Income Workforce Housing Investment Fund (MWHF). Combined, the awarded applicants are contributing $6,262,563 of local matching funds.
Authorized by the Middle Income Workforce Housing Investment Act of 2020, the MWHF helps nonprofits create quality, affordable housing in neighborhoods with a demonstrated need for housing. Housing projects supported by the MWHF must take place within municipalities of Lancaster or Sarpy County or within or adjacent to a qualified census tract (QCT) in Douglas County.
For the 2024 program year, MWHF awards were available to eligible non-profit development organizations who supplied at least a twenty-five percent match (that is, twenty-five cents for every one dollar of MWHF funds awarded).
DED administers the MWHF program on behalf of the State of Nebraska through a competitive application process. The department then partners with recipients to provide input regarding project design, development, and implementation.
“The Omaha metro has surpassed one million residents, the City of Lincoln’s population now tops 300,000, and Sarpy County is seeing tremendous development,” said DED Director K.C. Belitz. “This growth has intensified the need to create affordable housing. Thank you to the agencies who are stepping up to meet this need, and congratulations to this year’s MWHF recipients!”
The award recipients, their project areas, matching dollars, and amounts awarded are listed below. For more information about the MWHF, visit opportunity.nebraska.gov/programs/housing/mwhf. For questions, contact Nick Dropinski, Workforce Housing Specialist, at nick.dropinski@nebraska.gov or 402-580-0713.
| Middle Income Workforce Housing Investment Fund Recipients, June 2025 | |||
| Recipient | Project Area | Local Match | MWHF Award |
| Front Porch Investments | Omaha and municipalities in Sarpy County | $2,000,000 | $2,000,000 |
| GESU Housing, Inc. | Omaha | $145,833 | $500,000 |
| Habitat for Humanity of Omaha, Inc. | Omaha and municipalities in Sarpy County | $2,250,000 | $4,500,000 |
| Holy Name Housing Corporation | Omaha | $499,980 | $1,923,000 |
| Lincoln/Lancaster County Habitat for Humanity, Inc. | Municipalities in Lancaster County | $126,000 | $504,000 |
| Nebraska Housing Resource | Lincoln and Waverly | $150,000 | $350,000 |
| NeighborWorks Lincoln | Lincoln | $200,000 | $800,000 |
| Southeast Nebraska Affordable Housing Council | Municipalities in Lancaster County | $410,000 | $1,000,000 |
| Spark | Omaha | $480,750 | $1,923,000 |
| Total | $6,262,563 | $13,500,000 | |