Every Nebraskan deserves access to housing that fits their needs, whether that means affordable rental units, supportive housing with on-site services, or a pathway to homeownership. At the Nebraska Investment Finance Authority (NIFA), our work is grounded in the understanding that there is no single housing solution that works for everyone. Strong communities are built when people can access the type of housing that best supports their current situation and long-term stability.

Supportive housing plays a critical role in Nebraska’s affordable housing landscape, particularly for individuals and families facing complex challenges. Expanding this type of housing requires more than funding alone. It takes collaboration, shared expertise, and long-term commitment. The Nebraska Supportive Housing Toolkit was created to help communities across the state turn housing ideas into sustainable, service-supported developments that meet people where they are.

Who the Nebraska Supportive Housing Toolkit Is For

The Nebraska Supportive Housing Toolkit is designed for organizations and communities interested in developing supportive housing in Nebraska and strengthening access to housing for individuals and families with higher needs.

This toolkit is especially helpful for:

• Nonprofit organizations serving people experiencing homelessness or housing instability
• Homeless service providers exploring supportive housing development for the first time
• Local governments and housing authorities seeking long-term housing solutions
• Community organizations and partners working to expand affordable and supportive housing options

The toolkit is not limited to organizations with prior housing development experience or existing property. It is intentionally structured to meet participants where they are by providing education, guidance, and technical assistance that help turn housing ideas into achievable, community-based projects.

How the Nebraska Supportive Housing Toolkit Began

In December 2022, then-Governor Pete Ricketts announced the Nebraska Strategic Housing Council and the creation of the Strategic Housing Framework, a statewide plan focused on strengthening Nebraska communities through quality, affordable housing. In 2023, Governor Jim Pillen continued support for the Strategic Housing Council as the Framework moved into implementation.

One of the Framework’s major goals is the development or rehabilitation of 35,000 housing units statewide. Within that goal, Pillar 3 focuses on creating 10,000 housing units for households earning below $22,000 annually, including supportive housing for populations with complex needs.

Recognizing that supportive housing development is especially complex, Pillar 3 leaders sought national expertise to help Nebraska communities build capacity.

Supportive Housing in Nebraska’s Strategic Housing Framework

Addressing housing needs across Nebraska requires a coordinated approach that recognizes the importance of affordable housing, supportive housing, and long-term housing stability. This approach is reflected in Nebraska’s Strategic Housing Framework and its four interconnected pillars:

Pillar One: Financial Support and Incentives for Housing Development
Supports the creation and preservation of housing through financing tools, incentives, and investment that help communities grow.

Pillar Two: Housing Education and Policy
Focuses on education, policy alignment, and collaboration to support sustainable housing outcomes across Nebraska.

Pillar Three: Safety Net Housing and Special Populations
Centers on housing solutions for individuals and families with the greatest needs, including supportive housing for special populations.

Pillar Four: Workforce and Community Capacity
Strengthens the local workforce, partnerships, and systems needed to deliver housing solutions in urban and rural communities.

The Nebraska Supportive Housing Toolkit directly supports Pillar Three while reinforcing the other pillars by building local capacity, sharing technical expertise, and aligning partners around effective supportive housing development practices.

Together, these pillars reflect NIFA’s commitment to helping all Nebraskans access housing that fits their situation. This includes affordable rental housing, supportive housing, and pathways to homeownership, while supporting strong, resilient communities across the state.

Learning from a National Model (2024–2025)

In 2024, the Nebraska Investment Finance Authority (NIFA) partnered with BeauxSimone Consulting, a Colorado-based firm with national experience in supportive housing, to bring its Supportive Housing Toolkit model to Nebraska.

The first group participated in a four-module, eight-day training covering the full development lifecycle, including:

• Supportive housing concepts and project planning
• Capital development and financing strategies
• Supportive services and program design
• Fair housing, community engagement, and funder presentations

Following statewide outreach, eight agencies advanced through the training, with six completing the full toolkit. Five agencies presented project concepts at the 2025 NIFA Innovation Expo, showcasing supportive housing ideas from communities across Nebraska.

Participating organizations included:

• Hope Harbor (Grand Island)
• Heartland Family Services (Omaha)
• Family Service of Lincoln (Lincoln)
• City of Hastings, Hastings Housing Development Corporation & Hastings Housing Authority (Hastings)
• The Connection Homeless Shelter (North Platte)

Toolkit Outcomes: From Concept to Pipeline

Participation in the Nebraska Supportive Housing Toolkit resulted in a strong pipeline of proposed supportive housing developments, even as organizations navigated funding challenges and evolving project scopes.

Group One Results

Of the agencies in the first group:

• Two agencies did not complete the toolkit
• One agency is still actively working to advance a project
• One agency lost a funding source during development

Project results from Group One include:

• City of Hastings / Community Impact Network / Hastings Housing Authority – Project still in development; number of units to be determined
• Hope Harbor (Grand Island) – 21 proposed supportive housing units
• The Connection Homeless Shelter (North Platte) – 41 proposed supportive housing units
• Open Door Mission (Omaha) – Proposed 125 units currently advancing through the CRANE process
• Heartland Family Service (Omaha) – Proposed 25 units currently advancing through the CRANE process

In total, Group One proposed 244 supportive housing units. Of those, 212 units remain active in the development pipeline following completion of the toolkit.

Group Two: Continuing the Work (2025)

The second group launched in 2025 through outreach with the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials, the Strategic Housing Council, and Nebraska’s Continuums of Care. One agency did not complete the toolkit, while four organizations continue advancing supportive housing concepts:

• Friendship Home (Lincoln) – 20 proposed units
• Community Action of Lancaster and Saunders Counties – 8 proposed units
• Fresh Start (Lincoln) – 8 proposed units
• 50 Mile March (Bellevue) – 22 proposed units

Together, Group Two organizations currently have 58 supportive housing units in the development pipeline.

These results reflect the reality of supportive housing development. Progress is not always linear, but education, partnership, and technical assistance significantly strengthen long-term capacity.

Launching a Nebraska-Based Supportive Housing Toolkit

Building on lessons from the first group, Pillar 3 partners adapted the model into a Nebraska-led Supportive Housing Toolkit, ensuring it reflects Nebraska’s funding environment, housing markets, and community needs.

The Nebraska toolkit is led by:

• John Turner, NIFA
• Jeff Chambers, UNL Center on Children, Families and the Law
• Katherine Archuletta, Wellstone Strategies
• Linda Twomey, Siena Francis House (Technical Assistance Expert)

The revised toolkit includes four focused sessions:

• Project launch and framework development
• Capital development and financing
• Property management and program support
• Final project presentations at the NIFA Innovation Expo

Looking Ahead: Refinement and Sustainability

NIFA and Pillar 3 partners will continue refining the Nebraska Supportive Housing Toolkit by:

• Focusing on smaller, more flexible project models
• Expanding engagement of Pillar 3 subject-matter experts
• Prioritizing supportive housing for federally designated populations, including elderly and disabled households

Through collaboration, shared learning, and continued investment, the Nebraska Supportive Housing Toolkit is helping communities move from concept to construction. This is strengthening affordable and supportive housing across the state.

Building Housing Together

Supportive housing plays a vital role in Nebraska’s broader affordable housing system. By pairing technical assistance with strong statewide partnerships, NIFA and its partners are helping ensure supportive housing projects are not only built, but built to last.

To learn more about Nebraska’s affordable housing efforts and NIFA’s role in housing development statewide, visit nifa.org