Rural Futures Institute at the University of Nebraska

 

Date of this Version

11-5-2016

Document Type

Article

Citation

Nebraska Rural Poll: A Research Report, no, 16 (November 5, 2016). Also available at http://ruralpoll.unl.edu.

Comments

Copyright 2016, the authors. Used by permission.

Funding for this project was provided by the Cooperative Extension Division of the Institute for Agriculture and Natural Resources, the Agricultural Research Division of the Institute for Agriculture and Natural Resources, and the Department of Agricultural Economics. Additionally, in-kind support was provided by the University of Nebraska Rural Futures Institute.

Abstract

Conclusion

Most rural Nebraskans own their home. And, when asked about housing programs or priorities they would support in their community, most rural Nebraskans support programs that help seniors age in their homes, programs that would help upgrade the condition of existing homes and providing affordable rental housing. They are less likely to support organizing volunteer efforts to maintain existing housing stock, but still one-half support this option as well.

Support for one of the programs differs by community size. Persons living in or near larger communities are more likely than persons living in or near smaller communities to support providing affordable rental housing in their community. Otherwise, residents of communities of all sizes support the programs or priorities listed.

Age differences are also found. Younger persons are more likely than older persons to support the following programs or priorities: establishing a local program that would purchase and remove dilapidated houses and build new homes available for purchase; purchasing, rehabilitating and reselling vacant housing; providing down payment assistance to first-time home buyers; and providing affordable rental housing. However, older persons are more likely than younger persons to support developing programs to help seniors age in their current home.

While many rural Nebraskans feel the construction of new homes in their community is adequate, most believe there are not enough quality homes available for rent nor enough quantity of homes available for rent. Many also believe there are not enough existing homes available for purchase, apartments available for rent, quality apartments available for rent or quality homes available for purchase. Persons living in or near smaller communities and Research Report 16-5 of the Nebraska Rural Poll Page 11 persons living in the North Central region are both most likely to say their community does not have enough of all of the housing options listed.

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