2014 Housing Study
Published on January 16, 2014
(Grand Island, NE) – The Grand Island Area Economic Development Corporation (GIAEDC), in partnership with the City of Grand Island, is conducting a 2014 Housing Study. The study will identify strengths, weaknesses, areas of improvement and will create a "road map" for the next 5 years in relation to affordable housing stock in the Grand Island community. In order to collect the extensive information needed, the GIAEDC is surveying Grand Island residents via social media and community outreach efforts.
Target survey groups have been divided into two categories, Grand Island residents in the workforce and residents no longer in the workforce (60+ years old). Surveys in Spanish and English are available. Survey Monkey, an online surveying instrument, and Facebook are being utilized to reach out to residents in the workforce category. The survey can be accessed by clicking the link below. https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/DLRN9YB
Community outreach efforts have been made to connect with residents not in workforce Paper copies of the survey are available at the EDC, Multicultural Coalition, and USave Pharmacy. The EDC staff will help serve lunch at the Grand Generation Center on Thursday, January 16, 2014 at 11:30 a.m. in an effort to encourage attendees to complete the Housing Study survey.
Preliminary research, conducted in early January by Hanna:Keelan Associates, P.C., a Nebraska based community planning and research firm, outlined Grand Island's housing profile in regard to population, income, and housing stock. According to this research, the housing vacancy rate is 3.0%, down from 3.2% in 2010 and 3.8% in 2000. Additionally, in 2012, the average number of days a rental unit in Grand Island remained vacant was fewer than 15 days. With such a high turnover rate, many units are not receiving the level of maintenance or general upkeep they require. "We would like to see a higher vacancy rate; somewhere around 7%. A greater housing pool will not only help our residents, but will also assist our employers attract professionals to their business," said Mary Berlie, Executive Assistant for the GIAEDC.
For additional information, visit NTV's story a http://www.nebraska.tv/story/24495073/housing-study-underway-to-identify-grand-islands-needs
