Update of Housing Study Underway in Beatrice, Gage County

BEATRICE – An update of a housing study that was completed three years ago is underway, in Beatrice and Gage County.

Gage Area Growth Enterprise shared costs with other organizations and local government to fund an update of the study, along with financial support from the Nebraska Investment Finance Authority.   The original study completed in 2016 and a tour with potential developers, helped lead to a transformation of the old Beatrice Community Hospital site, into single family and senior housing.

NGage Executive Director Walker Zulkoski says the update will include data on population, income, an analysis of current housing stock, strategies for affordable housing development and repair or replacement from this year’s flooding.  One goal is to reduce a workforce shortage through constructing housing.

The update will help produce a five-year Housing Action Plan for new and rehabilitated owner and rental housing.

Zulkoski says as part of the process, county-wide public listening sessions will be conducted, and household and workforce surveys will be conducted.

The consulting firm, Hanna:Keelan Associates is working with local officials on the housing study update.