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North Omaha Unveils Affordable Housing Initiative: Ten Energy-Efficient Homes Set to Transform Underserved Community

  //house-home.news-articles.net/content/2025/11/2 .. omes-set-to-transform-underserved-community.html
  Published in House and Home on Thursday, November 20th 2025 at 0:35 GMT by WOWT.com

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North Omaha’s New Housing Initiative: A Community‑Driven Development Project

A coalition of local non‑profits, city officials, and private builders has unveiled plans for a new housing complex in North Omaha that promises to bring fresh, affordable homes to a historically underserved neighborhood. The announcement, reported by WOWT on November 20 2025, highlights a partnership that blends federal assistance, philanthropic giving, and community‑led design to create ten new single‑family homes that will be sold at reduced rates to first‑time homebuyers and low‑income families.

The Project at a Glance

• Location: 1525 North 24th Street, North Omaha, a block bordered by the North Omaha Community Development Corporation’s (NOCDC) green space to the south and a mixed‑use commercial corridor to the north.
• Homes: Ten single‑family residences, each ranging from 1,200 to 1,500 square feet, with a mix of two‑ and three‑bedroom layouts.
• Target Residents: Families earning no more than 80 % of the area median income (AMI), veterans, and senior citizens.
• Construction Partner: Omaha Construction Co. (OCC), a local firm with a decade of experience building low‑cost, energy‑efficient homes.
• Funding: A blend of $1.8 million in HUD “Section 8 Homeownership” grants, $400 k from the Charles and Ruth Foundation, and $200 k in matching funds from the City of Omaha’s Housing & Economic Development Office.

How the Idea Came About

The idea emerged during a 2024 community town hall organized by the NOCDC, where residents voiced concerns over a lack of affordable, high‑quality housing options. According to NOCDC director Lisa Hernandez, “We’ve seen a steady outflow of young professionals and families looking for stable, affordable homes. We couldn’t ignore the growing need.” The town hall also revealed that many of the existing structures on the site had been vacant for years, creating a blight that dampened neighborhood morale.

City Councilmember Mark Tuttle, a key ally in the project, emphasized the role of local government: “North Omaha has historically been under‑funded for development. This project is an opportunity to put a real, lasting investment in the community, with the city’s support in permitting and infrastructure improvements.” Tuttle pointed to a recent zoning overlay that eases density restrictions in the area, citing the Omaha City Planning Department’s “North Omaha Housing Plan” for more detail.

Design Features and Sustainability

The homes will incorporate several green building features, largely influenced by a collaboration with the Omaha Energy Alliance. Highlights include:

• Solar panels on every roof, designed to offset up to 30 % of a household’s electricity usage.
• Low‑flow fixtures to reduce water consumption by 20 %.
• Storm‑water capture systems to manage runoff and improve local water quality.
• Community garden and playground that will be maintained by residents under a partnership with the North Omaha Food & Garden Collective.

A design committee, chaired by NOCDC’s chief architect, Maya Patel, worked closely with OCC’s lead designer to ensure that each house meets the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) while still reflecting the vernacular architecture of the neighborhood. “We wanted the homes to feel like they belong,” Patel said. “They’re designed with brick trim and recessed windows that echo the historic styles nearby.”

Community Involvement and Feedback

The project was built with resident input from the outset. A community advisory board (CAB) was established after the 2024 town hall, comprising residents, local business owners, and representatives from the Omaha Urban League. The CAB reviewed preliminary designs and provided feedback on layout, parking, and landscaping. One resident, James “Jimmy” Thomas, praised the process: “They listened to us. The homes aren’t just boxes; they’re places where families can grow.”

An additional benefit of the project is the inclusion of a Neighborhood Watch program that will run concurrently with the construction. The program aims to improve safety in the area, a concern that has been cited repeatedly in NOCDC’s 2023 Community Safety Report.

Funding and Financial Structure

The financial blueprint for the development hinges on several key components:

1. HUD Section 8 Homeownership Grants: These grants cover up to 90 % of the purchase price for eligible families, making homeownership accessible even for those with limited down‑payment capacity. The HUD grants are contingent upon the houses meeting energy‑efficiency standards, which OCC guarantees.
2. Philanthropic Grants: The Charles and Ruth Foundation contributed $400 k, earmarked specifically for the installation of solar panels and the community garden. The foundation’s mission to “support sustainable, affordable housing” aligns perfectly with the project’s goals.
3. City Matching Funds: Omaha’s Housing & Economic Development Office matched $200 k of private investment, effectively lowering construction costs and ensuring the project remains affordable.

OCC will also secure a construction loan from the Omaha Bank of Commerce, with a 5‑year amortization period and a fixed interest rate of 3.5 %. The developer has secured a pre‑payment clause allowing the city to pay a portion of the debt once the houses are sold, thereby reducing financial risk.

Timeline and Expected Impact

Construction is slated to begin in December 2024, following final permits from the city’s building department. OCC expects to finish by mid‑2025, at which point sales will commence under a “first‑come, first‑served” model. The NOCDC expects at least 80 % of the homes to be sold to low‑income families within the first year.

Impact projections from NOCDC’s Economic Impact Assessment estimate that the project will create roughly 30 direct construction jobs and 15 indirect jobs in related sectors such as landscaping and electrical contracting. Long‑term, the addition of ten new homes is projected to increase the neighborhood’s property tax base by approximately $2 million annually, which the city plans to reinvest in community services like after‑school programs and senior care facilities.

Where to Learn More

• NOCDC Project Page: Detailed floor plans, purchase criteria, and application forms can be accessed through the NOCDC’s official website.
• City Planning Department: The North Omaha Housing Plan provides context on zoning changes and future development corridors.
• Omaha Construction Co.: OCC’s portfolio highlights prior projects and sustainability credentials.
• Charles and Ruth Foundation: A brief overview of the foundation’s charitable focus and past projects can be found on their donor portal.

Bottom Line

The North Omaha housing initiative exemplifies how coordinated efforts between local government, non‑profit organizations, and the private sector can deliver sustainable, affordable housing that meets community needs. By leveraging federal grants, philanthropic funding, and city resources, the project not only provides homes but also bolsters the local economy, enhances neighborhood safety, and sets a model for future developments. Residents, city officials, and developers alike will be watching closely as construction unfolds and as the first families move into their new homes, signaling a hopeful new chapter for North Omaha.