Affordable Housing Progress Report

This report highlights progress toward the City of Lincoln's goal to support 5,000 new, rehabilitated, or subsidized affordable housing units by 2030. This 5,000 unit goal was announced by the Mayor at her State of the City address in October of 2020.

Affordable housing is defined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) as an occupant paying no more than 30 percent of gross income for housing costs, including utilities. In addition, housing is considered affordable for homeowners who are at 80% or below of Area Median Income (AMI), and renters at or below 60% AMI.

  • 2,147
    units to date
  • 43%
    of goal achieved
  • 6%
    ahead of schedule toward goal of 5,000 units by 2030

Updated April 29, 2024

 

 

The City of Lincoln is ahead of its goal of 5,000 new, subsidized, or rehabilitated affordable housing units by 2030.

Affordable Housing Supported

The City of Lincoln's fiscal year runs September 1 — August 31.

Updated April 29, 2024

 

The City supports affordable housing in three major categories:

  • New Construction

    The City provides financial support through Tax Increment Financing (TIF) and other incentives for projects that build new affordable residential units. A project may include all affordable housing or a mix of affordable and market rates. If mixed, only the affordable units are counted toward the goal. New construction is further supported through grants to NeighborWorks Lincoln, Habitat for Humanity and other non-profit organizations.

  • Subsidized Units

    Providing rent support to a tenant can make a previously unaffordable unit become affordable. The City has provided funding support to create additional rent support vouchers for tenants working through Lincoln Housing Authority programs. The City has also included requirements for projects to accept rental vouchers when those projects are signing a redevelopment agreement that provides TIF.

  • Rehabilitation

    The City offers financial assistance and program support to help improve and prevent the loss of existing affordable housing. By addressing issues such as safety concerns or substandard conditions, this support restores or maintains these units for safe and affordable residential use.

    Programs and funding help support both owner-occupied and rental units. Low- and moderate-income homeowners who meet income criteria can use funds for qualified rehabilitation projects. These projects aim to bring owner-occupied housing up to Housing Rehabilitation Standards or eliminate conditions that pose an immediate threat to the health and safety of residents.

    For rental units, the City has started a demonstration project in the South of Downtown area using local funds, like TIF to improve rental units. In return for the funding, property owners agree to maintain the rents at affordable levels for a designated, negotiated, number of years. The desire is to expand the program into other neighborhoods if additional funding is identified.

 
Affordable Housing by Type and Year

The City of Lincoln's fiscal year runs September 1 — August 31.

Updated April 29, 2024

 

Affordable Housing FAQs

What qualifies as affordable housing?

The City of Lincoln operates with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s definition of affordable housing in which, “the occupant is paying no more than 30 percent of gross income for housing costs, including utilities.” In addition, housing is considered affordable for homeowners who are at 80% or below of Area Median Income (AMI), and renters at or below 60% AMI.

Income Limits
as of June 15, 2023
Size of
Household		 % of Lincoln Median Income
60% 80% 100%
1 $40,320 $53,700 $67,200
 2 $46,080  $61,400  $76,800 
 3  $51,840 $69,050   $86,400
 4  $57,540 $76,700  $95,900 
 5  $62,160 $82,850  $103,600 
 6  $66,780  $89,000  $111,300
 7  $71,400  $95,150 $119,000 
 8 $75,960  $101,250  $126,600 

What are some of the tools and programs that support affordable housing?

The City and community partners have developed a comprehensive vision and plan to support affordable housing: Lincoln Affordable Housing Coordinated Action Plan

Tools and programs referenced in the Plan and used within our community include:

  • Tax Increment Financing (TIF) reinvests property taxes created by a new project back into public improvements. In addition, TIF projects that include housing have affordability requirements.
  • The City of Lincoln's Rental Rehabilitation Program that provides funding to improve affordable rental housing and includes an affordability guarantee
  • Direct budget investments, highlighted on page 10 of the City of Lincoln budget
  • Policy and regulatory updates
  • Support of Low Income-Housing Tax-Credit (LIHTC) projects
  • Partnership with Community Development Resources (CDR), a non-profit lending organization that provides funding for affordable housing projects
  • Allocation of federal funds to rehabilitation income-qualified, owner-occupied housing
  • Grants to support affordability to local agencies including NeighborWorks Lincoln, Habitat for Humanity and the League of Human Dignity

These are just some of the programs, tools, and community partners that are working to increase affordability within Lincoln.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's website contains additional information on affordable housing including housing support programs and definitions, rental assistance, rent relief, homeownership, and more.

What are some available resident resources?

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