The Middle Income Workforce Housing Investment Fund (MWHF) was established under the Middle Income Workforce Housing Investment Act (LB866, 2020) to provide matching grants to nonprofit development organizations that manage local workforce housing investment funds. These grants are aimed at strengthening Nebraska’s housing market in Douglas, Lancaster, and Sarpy counties by supporting the construction and rehabilitation of owner-occupied housing. The program is managed by the Nebraska Department of Economic Development and seeks to increase housing availability in targeted communities.

The purpose of MWHF is to stimulate housing development for middle-income workers in Nebraska by funding local nonprofit development organizations that administer workforce housing investment funds. These funds must be used for constructing new owner-occupied housing, rehabilitating homes where the renovation cost exceeds 50% of the property's pre-renovation value, or creating upper-story housing for owner-occupants. Eligible properties must meet specific valuation thresholds and cannot receive funding from federal or state low-income housing programs, such as tax credits, Community Development Block Grants, or National Housing Trust Fund grants.

Funding for MWHF is awarded competitively through the fiscal year 2026-2027. The maximum award per nonprofit development organization is $10 million over a two-year period. Organizations applying for the grant must provide a minimum 25% match of the requested award amount. Matching funds can be sourced from individuals, businesses, foundations, local governments, and other nonprofit organizations.

Eligible applicants must be nonprofit development organizations that either currently manage or intend to manage a workforce housing investment fund. These organizations must demonstrate expertise in housing development, construction, and finance through an active board of directors. Additionally, projects must be located in Lancaster or Sarpy counties or within or adjacent to qualified census tracts in Douglas County, as defined by federal law.

The application process for the 2024 program year includes a mandatory Letter of Intent due by February 20, 2025. Full applications must be submitted by April 16, 2025. The grant application period officially opens on January 15, 2025, at 1:00 PM CST and closes on April 16, 2025, at 5:00 PM CDT. Applications will be evaluated based on criteria such as demonstrated housing need, local economic conditions, community commitment to increasing housing stock, project feasibility within 24 months, and the organization's ability to sustain a workforce housing investment fund.

For further inquiries, applicants can contact Nick Dropinski, Workforce Housing Specialist, at nick.dropinski@nebraska.gov or 402-580-0713. Additional program materials, application guidelines, and reporting templates are available through the Nebraska Department of Economic Development.