Hastings, NE / Central City, NE — Two Nebraska communities are among the recipients of the latest round of state funding to expand affordable housing opportunities. The Nebraska Department of Economic Development (DED) has announced $10.18 million in awards through the 2025 application cycle of the Nebraska Affordable Housing Trust Fund (NAHTF).
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The NAHTF, created in 1996 under the Nebraska Affordable Housing Act, is fueled by a portion of the documentary stamp tax collected on real estate transactions. Since its establishment, the fund has become one of the state’s most important tools for ensuring that Nebraskans across income levels have access to safe and affordable housing. By investing in both new housing construction and rehabilitation of existing stock, the program plays a key role in helping communities recruit families, attract businesses, and sustain long-term growth.
The program is open to local governments, public housing authorities, nonprofits, and for-profit entities working in partnership with eligible organizations. Funding can be applied to projects ranging from new home construction and rental housing to direct assistance for first-time buyers, including help with down payments and closing costs.
This year’s funding cycle was highly competitive. DED received 55 applications totaling nearly $29.5 million in requests—almost three times the available funding. In the end, 22 projects were selected, supporting at least 296 new or rehabilitated housing units across Nebraska.
“Nebraska is a national leader in homebuilding and housing affordability, and NAHTF makes a vital contribution to this success,” said DED Interim Director Maureen Larsen. “This year’s NAHTF funding cycle attracted outstanding applications. Congratulations to the program’s 2025 awardees! Thank you to the additional organizations that, while not awarded this round, are doing praiseworthy work to develop high-quality housing for Nebraskans.”
Among the awardees are projects in Central City and Hastings, which both secured significant funding:
Awarded $840,000 for the new construction of rental housing.
Awarded $830,000 for a rehabilitation conversion project, adding much-needed affordable rental units to the city’s housing stock.
Awarded $845,000 for new construction of rental housing.
These projects reflect the dual priorities of the program: expanding housing capacity while improving the quality and affordability of existing homes.
In addition to the projects in Hastings and Central City, the NAHTF awards will support a broad range of initiatives across Nebraska, from rural communities to growing cities, each aimed at ensuring that residents have access to stable, affordable living options.
For full details on awards, eligibility, and the application process, DED encourages interested organizations to visit the Nebraska Affordable Housing Trust Fund program page at opportunity.nebraska.gov.
Originally reported by Central Nebraska Today.
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