VALENTINE, Neb. - Nebraska is facing a critical affordable housing shortage. According to the National Low Income Housing Coalition, the state is short more than 40,000 rental units for extremely low-income households. This summer, the Nebraska Legislative Research Office also reported that while affordable housing is a nationwide issue, it’s particularly severe in Nebraska.

In Valentine, a new program is working to tackle the pressing problem.

“We need to make sure that we have great housing stock, and we continue to be appealing to people thinking about moving to rural America,” said Valentine Economic Development Director Mark Hagge.

In 2020, the City completed a housing study, which revealed what many Nebraska towns face: a significant shortage of homes, not just for low-income families but across all income levels.

“We need housing at all levels. We need it for professionals, doctors, that sort of thing, who are moving into our community. We also need middle-income and low-income housing,” said Hagge.

To help meet the need, the City was awarded a grant from the State and also contributed additional money to build three new homes. Two are now on the market for $273,000.

“The idea behind this particular build is possibly someone new to our community has this opportunity, but also for a young family looking to move up to the next level of housing, this is a great option considering the oversized lot,” said Hagge.

Hagge hopes these homes create a ripple effect, with buyers moving in freeing up lower-cost housing for others.

“For some, $273,000 is not affordable,” said Hagge.

In addition to the two finished houses on Edna Street, the City is also currently building a third similar house as part of the grant.

“Housing is so important to an individual and family’s quality of life,” said Hagge.

The three bedroom, two bath houses are almost 2700 square feet.  Buyers must meet income qualifications and may be eligible for down payment assistance. Once all three homes are sold, the City plans to reinvest the money to build even more housing.

“I think we have a lot in Valentine in the form of natural amenities, not to mention the great people in Valentine who could make this a really welcoming space, but you have to have places for people to live,” said Hagge.

A place that could soon become someone’s home, sweet home. 

The houses are listed for sale on Zillow.