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Village of Linwood

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The qualitative data gathering is the second element of the study. The MPC team approached this task in a variety of manners including focus groups with key stakeholders including major employers, local bankers, and realtors. These focus groups supplemented online and written surveys that were distributed via SurveyMonkey. Over surveys were completed. The qualitative data supplements and provides local context to the numbers. It provides insight into how people feel about the housing situation in David City and Butler County. The MPC team gathered as many points of view as possible to create a well-rounded picture of the housing situation. When both the qualitative and quantitative data are examined the results paint the true picture of the housing needs and challenges within Butler County and the City of David City.

The qualitative data gathering is the second element of the study. The MPC team approached this task in a variety of manners including focus groups with key stakeholders including major employers, local bankers, and realtors. These focus groups supplemented online and written surveys that were distributed via SurveyMonkey. Over surveys were completed. The qualitative data supplements and provides local context to the numbers. It provides insight into how people feel about the housing situation in David City and Butler County. The MPC team gathered as many points of view as possible to create a well-rounded picture of the housing situation. When both the qualitative and quantitative data are examined the results paint the true picture of the housing needs and challenges within Butler County and the City of David City.

or Schuyler, in large part due to the reputation and desirability of the two schools in David City.

Some of the key challenges expressed by the banking community included: • There is a need for new housing, regardless of rental versus for-sale, especially 3- and 4bedroom units. • New housing developments (Subdivisions) are needed in the area. • People in Columbus are looking in David City because there is no inventory in Columbus either, and the schools help drive housing demand. People move for the schools, but may work in Columbus, Lincoln, etc.

During the discussion, the following priorities emerged that should be pursued to help alleviate the housing shortage: • Regardless whether the units are for-sale or forrent, 3- and 4-bedroom units should be the priority. • The cost of housing is extremely important, and emphasis should be placed to keep costs in these ranges:  $800 – $850/month for rentals  $160,000 - $170,000 sales prices • The City needs to be more supportive towards builders and those making investments their homes. Builders/contractors say it’s difficult to work with the City and it’s harder to build in

David City than other near-by communities.

Realtors Focus Group

The Realtor community recognized the impact of the tight housing market, and the lack of new forsale housing and rental product available in Butler County and David City. Surprisingly, the Realtors thought the greatest need in the community was for rental housing. There was significant discussion about the difficulties of finding housing for employees who are new to the area and have a limited time to find suitable housing.

Some of the key challenges or needs expressed by the Realtors included:

• Rental housing, especially duplexes, are a key need  There is very little product for people who are moving into town for jobs, and almost all rental projects have waiting lists.  Interim housing for people working at the hospital because they have little time to find a house before they report to work.  Recent college graduates don’t often want to buy a house initially, and their student loans often makes their debt to income ratios too high so they can’t get a loan initially.

• There is a distinct need for new construction or renovated (move-in ready) housing:  People want move-in ready units, and very few households have an appetite to renovate a fixer-upper.  City owns 5 or so lots that could be used for infill housing. There is no opposition to new rental housing or building duplexes, in fact, most people are concerned about the dilapidated existing homes.

During the discussion, the following priorities emerged that should be pursued to help alleviate the housing shortage: • Develop additional new rental housing that contain 3- to 4- bedrooms. • Develop new for-sale homes that are roughly 1,200 SF, with an unfinished basement. If possible, the sales price should be below $170,000.00. • City and County should work together to release the City-owned lots for development.

Thoughts on the village housing markets: • Rising City seems to have stabilized after losing its school • Brainard could possibly absorb a few new rentals. • Bellwood has demand for rental housing. Many new residents are associated with jobs in

Columbus.

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This article is from:

Butler County, NE 2019 Housing Needs Assessment