Neb. Rural Poll shows a need for more affordable housing

LINCOLN — According to the 2024 Nebraska Rural Poll, most rural Nebraskans see housing as important to the growth of their community; however, most also think their community lacks options for rentals and home purchases.

Ninety percent of rural Nebraskans surveyed agree that high-quality, affordable housing is important for community growth.

Most also agree that inadequate housing options result in worker shortages locally. A slight majority (52%) believe their community should invest public resources to support the availability of housing.

In addition, many respondents disagree that it is affordable for a person working in their profession to purchase a home in their community. More than 40% strongly disagree or disagree with that statement, while less than 40% agree or strongly agree.

After assessing the importance of housing to their community, respondents were asked to rate the adequacy of various housing types locally.

Only a slight majority of those surveyed say the construction of new homes is either adequate or more than enough.

Most respondents feel there is not enough of the following types of housing in their community: homes available for rent (60%), move-in ready homes available for rent (56%), existing homes available for purchase (55%), move-in ready homes available for purchase (54%) and safe and affordable apartments available for rent (54%).

Many rural Nebraskans believe there are adequate or more than enough assisted living and longterm care units for seniors in their community, according to the poll.

Perceptions of the lack of some types of housing have worsened since these questions were last asked in 2016, said Becky Vogt, Rural Poll manager.

This year, rural Nebraskans are less likely to say there are adequate move-in ready homes available for rent or existing homes available for purchase in their community than they did in 2016. The proportion rating the number of move-in ready homes available for rent as adequate declined from 40% in 2016 to 25% this year.

The proportion rating existing homes available for purchase as adequate declined from 39% to 30%.