Introduction

Chapter 1 Introduction and Methodology

Introduction

Butler County Development contract with the Marvin Planning Consultants (MPC) team to undertake a comprehensive housing assessment of Butler County, Nebraska, the City of David City and the surrounding communities. The comprehensive housing assessment is funded by Butler County Development and the Nebraska Investment Finance Authority (NIFA). The goal of the study is to assess the general health of the housing market, current conditions of the housing stock, assess and forecast current and future housing needs based on projected population and employment trends.

The project partners understand the Nebraska housing market is tight, which means vacancy rates are extremely low, and finding the right housing product for current and future residents is a challenge. These tight housing markets not only affect the confidence of current residents, but a tight housing market also becomes a challenge when attracting new businesses to locate into a community. Tight housing markets with low vacancies and limited housing options, are the difference between a business considering expanding within their current community, or relocation to a different region. A tight housing market or housing market in which the right type of housing is not available can also increase employee turnover and also cause general dissatisfaction. If businesses believe, or know, they cannot find adequate housing for their employees they may look elsewhere.

Study Boundaries

The housing needs assessment included all of David City, Butler County, and the villages of Abie Bellwood, Brainard, Bruno, Dwight, Garrison, Linwood, Octavia, Rising City, Surprise, and Ulysses. All of these entities play a role in the overall housing market of Butler County. The following analysis and recommendations will to be applied to each entity.