Rising rents and dwindling availability have created a perfect storm in the metro housing market. Now, another lifeline could be extended if more federal relief for emergency rent assistance is approved. The metro area Homeless Care Service has already secured nearly $17 million in emergency rental assistance. But the nonprofit says it still needs an additional $19 million for the next three years to meet the assistance that so many people depend on. It’s a problem that has found a home here on the metro. According to the United Way of the Midlands, housing and utilities remain at the top of requests for support: 72 percent of the 325 000 211 people connected to the helpline. “We thought it might come down a little bit from COVID, but quite the opposite, it keeps going up,” said Matt Wallen, senior vice president at United Way of the Midlands. “We’re seeing an increase in eviction and eviction notices. We’ve served over 13,000 families,” said Jason Fieldhouse, MACCH executive director. The problem, says Fieldhouse, is inflation, stagnant wages and insufficient affordable housing. United Way says since December 2021, rental prices have increased by more than six percent in our area. 53,000 people pay a lot of their monthly budget in rent, which puts them in a difficult position. “Rent pressure. In other words, they spend more than 30 percent of their take-home pay on rent and help,” Fieldhouse said. “Inflation is not only hitting us at the grocery store, it’s also hitting us when it comes to paying rent. So it’s so important that the community helps out where we can,” Whalen said. MACCH serves as a liaison between the City of Omaha and Direct Assistance Providers. Receiving $19.2 million, from the US Treasury for COVID-19 Relief, will help them continue to support families in need right now. But Fieldhouse hopes that increasing the minimum wage, and working with property managers and new housing, will ease the pressures residents face in the long term. “A significant investment of those dollars is going to build more affordable housing. So, what we hope is over the next 33 months, these units will come online and help remedy some of this,” Fieldhouse said. The Omaha City Council will still need to take a final vote on approving the $19 million MACCH. It will happen in the coming weeks, today was the bidding on Wednesday at United Way. You can donate at the link provided. HIGHLIGHTS: Ashland Mobile Home Park Survey by Summer Omaha City Building Demolition List of Deteriorating Property Nebraska Hospital Clusters: Gov. Belen’s Budget Proposal ‘Ignores Crisis’
Rising rents and dwindling availability have created a perfect storm in the metro housing market.
Now, another lifeline could be extended if more federal relief for emergency rent assistance is approved.
The metro area Homeless Care Service has already secured nearly $17 million in emergency rental assistance. But the nonprofit says it still needs an additional $19 million for the next three years to meet the assistance that so many people depend on.
It’s a problem that has found a home here on the metro. According to the United Way of the Midlands, housing and utilities remain at the top of requests for support: 72 percent of the 325 000 211 people connected to the helpline.
“We thought it might come down a little bit from COVID, but quite the opposite, it keeps going up,” said Matt Wallen, senior vice president at United Way of the Midlands.
“We’re seeing an increase in eviction and eviction notices. We’ve served over 13,000 families,” said Jason Fieldhouse, MACCH executive director.
The problem, says Fieldhouse, is inflation, stagnant wages and insufficient affordable housing. United Way says since December 2021, rental prices have increased by more than six percent in our area. 53,000 people pay much of their monthly budget in rent, which puts them in a difficult position.
“Rent pressure. In other words, they spend more than 30 percent of their take-home pay on rent and help,” Fieldhouse said.
“Inflation is not only hitting us at the grocery store, it’s also hitting us when it comes to paying rent. So it’s so important that the community helps out where we can,” Whalen said.
MACCH serves as a liaison between the City of Omaha and Direct Assistance Providers. Receiving $19.2 million, from the US Treasury for COVID-19 Relief, will help them continue to support families in need right now. But Fieldhouse hopes that increasing the minimum wage, and working with property managers and new housing, will ease the pressures residents face in the long term.
“A significant investment of those dollars is going to build more affordable housing. So, what we hope is over the next 33 months, these units will come online and help remedy some of this,” Fieldhouse said.
The Omaha City Council will still need to take a final vote on approving the $19 million MACCH. That will happen in the coming weeks.
Today was the bidding on Wednesday at United Way. You can donate at the link provided.
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