Hope Harbor, Courtesy
GRAND ISLAND — Across Nebraska, there’s a shortage of more than 25,000 affordable rental units, leaving many families without stable housing.
Hope Harbor is on a mission to change that through their Lighthouse Apartments project, which will include wraparound services to provide residents with the resources they need to remain housed.
Located on the Hope Harbor campus in Railside, Lighthouse Apartments will offer a mix of studio, two-bedroom, and three-bedroom units at various levels of affordability. The development will provide much-needed three-bedroom apartments for families in an area where there is often zero vacancy for units of this size. Central Nebraska currently has zero supportive housing units, so Lighthouse will be the first of its kind, filling a critical gap in housing and services for our most vulnerable neighbors.
Supportive housing reduces chronic homelessness by up to 85% and helps local economies by reducing reliance on emergency services. Beyond housing, the Lighthouse Apartments will offer residents tailored services like case planning, life-skills classes, mental health therapy, and community-building resources to empower residents for long-term success. Units will also be fully accessible and include resources for residents with disabilities.
Liz Mayfield, Executive Director of Hope Harbor, said of the project, “Data shows that stable housing improves outcomes in health, education, and employment. This isn’t just for the residents of the Lighthouse Apartments — we believe this new resource will benefit the community as a whole.”
The project has more than half of its financing needs covered from a variety of public sources, including CDBG, CRA, and HOME-ARP. Hope Harbor, the nonprofit developer for the project, is seeking additional support from community foundations, institutions, and residents to serve as the final source of capital for the project.
More information on Lighthouse Apartments is available here.
About Hope Harbor
Hope Harbor’s mission is to “Help and hope for a life of self-sufficiency.” Hope Harbor accomplishes this mission by providing services to individuals and families experiencing homelessness or near homelessness. They help meet the need for safe shelter, meals, and supportive case management with a goal of obtaining permanent housing and becoming self-sufficient. Learn more at www.hopeharborgi.org.