GRAND ISLAND, Neb. - A nonprofit in Central Nebraska is taking a major step toward addressing the city’s housing shortage, especially for families facing chronic homelessness.

Hope Harbor has announced plans to build a new housing facility in Grand Island that will combine affordable living with on-site support.

The nonprofit is moving forward with the Lighthouse Apartments which is a three story housing facility designed to offer both permanent homes and wrap-around support services.

The building will include 20 units, a new donation center to go with housing case managers and more.

Officials say the goal is to increase accessibility, independence and long-term stability. The new setup is unlike anything else in the area.

"Supportive housing is not something that currently exists in Central Nebraska," said Hope Harbor campaign coordinator Natalie Lukens.

"This is an opportunity for Grand Island to add something that doesn't exist right now which is really exciting. And for me, it brings so much excitement and hope that we are able to actually meet our community, and we're able make sure that families are getting the support and the care that they need, and frankly, that they deserve," said Lukens.

The need for this kind of housing is critical, with a local study showed no three-bedroom rentals available at the time of planning according to officials. 

A second phase could follow which would add ten more supportive studio units if federal funding comes through. Families in need of extra help will have different options to choose from.

"We're looking for people that have chronic homelessness or disability, and they will get supportive services as part of that but they'll have their own lease, it'll be their apartment, and they'll get to kind of start over fresh in their own space," said Hope Harbor Executive Director Liz Mayfield.

"We'll have some units that will be considered market rate, and we will prioritize people with HUD vouchers for those units as well. What we're really looking for is an opportunity to add housing for families that are in a low income bracket," said Mayfield.

Construction is set to begin in early 2026, with completion expected by the end of 2027.