Housing (Affordable Housing)

in committee · Nebraska · Legislature Mar 30, 2026

LR 460: Interim study to examine residential building codes and land development regulations and which specific codes may be cost prohibitive in the building of affordable and workforce housing

This legislative resolution directs Nebraska's Urban Affairs Committee to conduct an interim study on residential building codes and land development regulations to identify which rules may increase costs for affordable and workforce housing. The study will examine existing code exceptions, evaluate unnecessary requirements, analyze cost-to-benefit ratios, and explore how local and state regulations impact construction prices. The committee will consult with housing industry stakeholders and report its findings and recommendations to the Legislature. This measure focuses on gathering information rather than implementing immediate policy changes.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill seeks to identify and reduce cost-prohibitive regulations that hinder affordable housing construction, aiming to increase housing availability.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Building Codes Zoning

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in committee · Nebraska · Legislature Mar 30, 2026

LR 454: Interim study to examine alternative funding sources for addressing the shortage of affordable and workforce housing in Nebraska

This legislative resolution directs Nebraska's Revenue Committee to conduct an interim study on finding new funding options for affordable and workforce housing. The bill addresses a shortage of housing by examining how other states finance these programs and identifying alternative revenue sources beyond the General Fund and documentary stamp tax. The committee will investigate current funding gaps and report its findings and recommendations to the Legislature. This measure focuses on research rather than immediate policy changes, aiming to inform future legislative decisions about housing finance.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill directs study to find new funding sources for affordable and workforce housing, indicating intent to address housing shortage through research and potential funding expansion.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Housing Finance Property Taxes

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in committee · Nebraska · Legislature Mar 30, 2026

LR 417: Interim study to examine innovative approaches to housing development, financing, and ownership in Nebraska

This legislative resolution directs the Urban Affairs Committee to conduct an interim study on innovative methods for housing development, financing, and ownership in Nebraska. The study will explore new approaches such as tokenized credit systems, community-based investment models, and digital infrastructure to improve affordable housing access and public investment transparency. The committee will report its findings and recommendations to the Legislative Council or Legislature upon completion. This action is currently in the early stages of the legislative process and does not enact any new laws.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill directs study on innovative housing development, financing, and ownership to improve affordable housing access and public investment transparency.75% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill explicitly mentions exploring tokenized credit systems, community-based investment models, and digital infrastructure to improve housing access and transparency, indicating support for technology applications.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Property Development

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signed · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 768: Provide powers for the Nebraska Investment Finance Authority and change provisions relating to the Nebraska Affordable Housing Act, the Rural Workforce Housing Investment Act, and the Middle Income Workforce Housing Investment Act

This bill (LB 768) amends Nebraska's housing finance laws to expand the Nebraska Investment Finance Authority's (NIFA) powers, allowing it to partner with nonprofit entities supporting housing projects. It modifies the Nebraska Affordable Housing Act, Rural Workforce Housing Investment Act, and Middle Income Workforce Housing Investment Act to require the Department of Economic Development to allocate at least 30% of Affordable Housing Trust Fund dollars to each congressional district annually. The bill also eliminates the housing advisory committee and updates fund administration rules, including streamlining grant application processes and clarifying fund transfers. These changes directly affect housing developers, local governments, and low-to-moderate income residents seeking affordable housing assistance under the three affected acts.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingMandates 30% annual allocation of housing trust funds to each district, expanding funding mechanisms for affordable housing projects through NIFA partnerships.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Housing Finance Property Development

died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 988: Change provisions of the Community Development Law

LB 988 amends Nebraska's Community Development Law to update definitions and rules for designating blighted areas and using tax-increment financing. It specifically redefines "blighted area" with new criteria, including unemployment rates, building ages, and affordability requirements (e.g., requiring at least 20% affordable housing). The bill also sets strict limits: cities cannot designate more than 35% of their area as blighted (or 50% for smaller cities), with exceptions for defense sites or designated "extremely blighted" areas. These changes aim to standardize redevelopment planning and limit tax-increment financing use while harmonizing existing law sections.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingMandates 20% affordable housing in blighted area designations under tax-increment financing, directly advancing affordable housing goals per bill's affordability requirements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Community Development Property Development

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died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 819: Change provisions of the Rural Workforce Housing Investment Act and the Middle Income Workforce Housing Investment Act

LB 819 amends Nebraska's Rural and Middle Income Workforce Housing Investment Acts to update key definitions and program rules. It specifically revises the cost limits for qualifying workforce housing: owner-occupied units must cost no more than $375,250 (adjusted annually for inflation), and rental units no more than $325,000. The bill also requires nonprofit developers applying for grants to provide 25% matching funds and caps annual grants at $5 million per organization over two years. These changes directly affect rural communities seeking housing development funding and nonprofit organizations managing workforce housing investment funds.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingAmends workforce housing acts to update cost limits for affordability, requires nonprofit matching funds for grants, and caps annual funding to sustain housing development programs.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Homeownership Property Development

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died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 850: Authorize the use of economic development programs for certain construction or rehabilitation of housing in cities of the metropolitan class and cities of the primary class under the Local Option Municipal Economic Development Act

This bill (LB 850) amends Nebraska's Local Option Municipal Economic Development Act to explicitly allow cities of metropolitan class (over 50,000 residents) and primary class (20,000-50,000 residents) to use existing economic development funds for housing construction or rehabilitation. It specifically authorizes these funds for housing projects targeting low/moderate-income residents, workforce housing plans, or affordable housing action plans (as defined in Section 19-5505). The bill updates definitions to include housing construction/rehabilitation as a qualifying business activity for these cities. This change expands current allowable uses of economic development programs without creating new funding. The bill focuses on streamlining how cities can address housing needs through existing local economic development tools.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAuthorizes existing economic development funds for affordable housing projects targeting low/moderate-income residents, directing current appropriations toward essential housing programs.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill explicitly authorizes use of economic development funds for low/moderate-income housing construction/rehabilitation and affordable housing action plans under defined programs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Community Development Housing Finance

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died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 1129: Change provisions of the Community Development Law

LB 1129 updates Nebraska's Community Development Law to modernize how cities address blighted areas. It redefines key terms like "affordable housing" (now including workforce housing and housing for households earning under 150% of county median income) and "area of operation" (expanding to include land outside city limits under specific conditions). The bill changes property acquisition rules, eliminates outdated provisions about land outside city boundaries, and requires expedited review for certain redevelopment plans. These changes directly affect cities, redevelopment authorities, and property owners in designated blighted areas.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingRedefines 'affordable housing' to include workforce housing and households under 150% median income, expanding access and modernizing development rules for blighted areas.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Community Development Zoning

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failed · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 839: Change reporting requirements under the Municipal Density and Missing Middle Housing Act and provide requirements for projects under the Nebraska Affordable Housing Act

LB 839 amends Nebraska's Municipal Density and Missing Middle Housing Act to update reporting requirements for cities. It requires cities to submit biennial reports to the Urban Affairs Committee detailing efforts related to affordable housing, including whether they have adopted or implemented an affordable housing action plan (new requirement added at subsection (m)). This directly affects all Nebraska cities with residential zoning, as they must now report on their progress toward housing affordability goals. The bill streamlines reporting by modifying Section 19-5504, repealing the original section while adding specific new data points for transparency.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingRequires cities to report on affordable housing efforts and action plans, increasing accountability for housing initiatives.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Zoning

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signed · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 1067: Change provisions relating to the Affordable Housing Trust Fund, the rate and disbursement of the documentary stamp tax, the Rural Workforce Housing Investment Fund, and the Middle Income Workforce Housing Investment Fund

LB 1067 adjusts how documentary stamp tax revenue is distributed to fund housing programs in Nebraska. It specifies that for every $2.82 collected on property transfers (deeds), 95 cents goes to the Affordable Housing Trust Fund, 75 cents each to the Rural Workforce and Middle Income Workforce Housing Investment Funds, and smaller portions to other housing-related funds. The bill harmonizes existing tax allocation rules across these funds and ensures collected revenue is used solely for designated housing purposes. This directly affects property sellers and buyers paying the transfer tax, with funds supporting affordable housing initiatives. The changes take effect upon enactment, modifying current tax distribution formulas.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRedirects documentary stamp tax revenue to housing funds, increasing dedicated budget allocations for affordable housing programs through existing tax structure.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingAllocates documentary stamp tax revenue directly to Affordable Housing Trust Fund and workforce housing funds, explicitly funding housing programs per bill language.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Revenue Affordable Housing Housing Finance