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Affordability key to housing puzzle
McCOOK, Neb. — McCook’s housing problem is like a puzzle: a lot of pieces need to fit together, a lot of pieces need to work together and a lot of pieces need to come to the table to find a solution. McCook Economic Development has prioritized bringing all those pieces together to address McCook’s housing needs, with an emphasis on not only affordable living for families and seniors but also opportunities for workforce and market-rate housing solutions
The MEDC is not the only organization focused on providing these opportunities for the community. Midwest Housing Initiatives and Excel Development celebrated the remodel of the Maplewood II apartment complex on September 28, 2023. A 24-unit affordable housing development available to those 55+. While the Maplewood Apartments have existed in McCook for many years, they have recently undergone extensive renovations continue providing safe and affordable housing options for many years into the future.
According to McCook’s 2022 housing study, housing needs across the spectrum are needed, from low- to middle-income households, family homes to senior housing. Both locally and nationally, rental and purchase prices have seen a steep increase the last few years, which is especially burdensome to those on fixed incomes such as Social Security, disability, or retirement, said Amanda Engell, director of MEDC’s housing development.
“That is why the Maplewood II apartment renovations and Clary Village housing complex are so invaluable,” she said. “They offer safe, accessible, affordable housing to those 55-plus, while providing independence and a sense of home.”
These units are in such demand that there is an extensive waiting list, highlighting the need for affordable housing. According to a U.S. Census Bureau survey, nearly 20 percent of Red Willow County households were considered “cost-burdened” or requiring more than 30 percent of household income on housing costs.
“Safe and affordable housing allows our community members the opportunity to age gracefully in place as opposed to feeling pressure to move into assisted living when it may not be necessary at the time,” Engell said. “A single-family home may be too large, too high in maintenance, and not suitable due to a variety of reasons such as lack of accessibility features, such as grab bars, zero-entry bathing options, larger doorways/halls, and low entry thresholds.”
Another key puzzle piece is creating affordable family housing, specifically the importance of stable housing for families, and addressing the connotation that comes along with the term of “affordable housing.”
“Studies have shown that affordable housing options increase family stability, family health outcomes, and children’s academic outcomes,” Engell said, “it is vital to consider family housing when discussing the future of McCook.”
She added that the stigma surrounding “affordable housing” means that the target renter will not be a desirable neighbor and properties will not be maintained.
“On the contrary, affordable housing developments have strict guidelines in place to ensure proper care and maintenance and checks and balances in place to ensure that tenants are responsible neighbors and renters,” Engell said. “Without options for affordable housing, many of our critical employment positions in McCook would not be filled with our friends, family and neighbors, which in turn could mean a loss of services and businesses in our community.”
Other key issues in the McCook housing discussion are finding opportunities to build new homes whether that is access to buildable lots for those looking to build or newly built move-in ready options, using low-income housing tax credits to assist affordable housing projects, federal and state funding opportunities, and addressing the state of the current housing options.
While the MEDC and the City of McCook will continue to work on finding all the pieces to the housing puzzle, The Nebraska Examiner recently shared a U.S. Census-based report revealing that Nebraskans reported housing as the number one driving factor for relocating outside of the state, surpassing the previous data saying jobs was the number one driving factor for relocation.
With reports like this, housing will be a major topic in the 2024 Nebraska Legislative Session. Engell emphasized that elected officials need to hear from rural Nebraskans on the importance and impact that affordable housing has made for rural communities.
“Without federal and state housing programs, developments like the Maplewood II apartments, Quillan Courts, Clary Village, and the list of properties managed by McCook Housing Authority may not exist,” Engell said. “Consider what our community would look like without these much-needed affordable housing options.”
For more information about affordable housing resources or Clary Village and Quillan Courts, please contact Engell at the MEDC, 308-345-1200. Other resources include the McCook Housing Authority, 308-345-3605; or Maplewood II Apartments, 402-434-3344.