No place to call home?

Clearwater Village Board of Trustees reviewed results of a recent housing survey during the board's March 8 meeting.

According to Clearwater Economic Development Director Lauren Sheridan-Simonsen, survey results identify the need for affordable housing as a priority for the village.

"The housing shortage has been identified as a priorty for the ED office," she said.

The survey evaluated current housing quality, while identifying needs. Included in the results is public comment about housing stock and hindrances to securing adequate housing.

The survey was available Feb. 24 through March 7. Information was sent to community members via the village utility bill, highlighted on the village Facebook Page and linked on the town's website.Results were compiled by Miller & Associates Consulting Engineers, P.C., of Kearney.

Sheridan-Simonsen said housing shortages are a national issue.

"Creating more housing is a community effort," she said. "One person alone cannot create the housing that is needed to help Clearwater grow, attract, and maintain the young families needed to prosper."

The village will be applying for housing funds to construct a duplex.

Village Clerk Angie Hupp and Sheridan-Simonsen participated in a Zoom call to review the application and results from the 2020 Nebraska Affordable Housing Trust Fund Grant with Miller & Associates, Joene Crocker and Barb Pierce with the Nebraska Department of Economic Development, to determine how Clearwater could be more competitive in reapplying for funds in 2021.

Those suggestions will be implemented on the 2021 grant application.

"Being awarded a Nebraska Affordable Housing Trust Grant will not only bring in the proposed duplex project, but help fund additional housing spurring from the sale of the two units," Sheridan-Simon said. "The domino effect could see a significant increase in new housing in Clearwater."

Survey basics

Fifty-nine surveys were completed, with 69% of respondents living within village limits. Eighty-nine percent of all respondents identified as homeowners.

Questions asked were related to relocation, community needs, home ownership and rental options, business owner perspectives and high school viewpoints.

Respondents rated housing availability and conditions as poor or very poor.

Relocation

Of the 14 responses, 50% reported they would like to move into Clearwater in the future.

Twenty-eight respondents - 82% - have no plans to downsize. Nine percent plan to scale down within five years.

Hindrances preventing a move to town include a lack of adequate housing, inability to have a basement, run-down buildings and privacy.

Housing needs ranged from single-family dwellings to duplexes and townhouses. Survey results show 71% believe a single-family home would best fit needs, 7% were interested in a duplex and 14% indicated a townhouse was the best fit.

Community

Longevity as community members was clear, with 27% living in Clearwater between 16 and 20 years and 27% residing in the Antelope County village for more than 26 years.

Twenty percent of respondents have lived in the village between one and five years.

Forty-five percent of respondents rated Clearwater's availability of affordable housing as poor, while 43% rate the current housing market in the village as poor.

Two areas were rated as very poor, including current housing stock, at 39% and the amount of dilapidated buildings, 34%.

One area - appearance of the community - was rated as average, at 52%. Twenty-five percent rated the village's appearance as poor.

In 2017, Clearwater residents identified nine objectives for housing in the community. Respondents were asked to select which objectives remain relevant.

Cleanup of vacant lots and uninhabitable properties remains a priority, with 91% and 72% favoring enforcing property upkeep through a nuisance abatement program.

Sixty-seven percent favor locating areas for future residential development and 53% approve of utilizing funding opportunities for renters, homeowners and developers.

Survey comments indicate a desire for cleanup, especially of areas that are uninhabitable and or blighted.

Respondents were asked to select housing options they would like to see made available for home ownership. While 95% - or 42 selections - showed single-family houses were favored, 45 selections were cast for apartments, duplexes, townhouses and senior housing.

Forty-four percent of respondents indicated no financial need for housing at this time and 29% reported new construction costs as the greatest need.

Rental options

Rental properties were also addressed in the survey. Eight-four percent favor single-family homes be available for rent, while 51% would like to see duplex development; 47%, apartments; 30%, townhouses; and 28%, senior housing options.

Eight individuals responded to questions for current renters. One hundred percent report availability as a hindrance, while 75% cited a lack of quality housing as a concern.

Of the renters who responded, four responded yes to plans for purchasing a home within village limits.

Business owners

Eleven respondents, 30%, own businesses in Clearwater. Forty-four percent encourage employees to live in the village.

Sixty percent reported availability of affordable, quality housing as an issue for bringing potential employees into the community.

High school responses

Six high school students completed the survey, with all indicating plans to leave Clearwater following graduation. Sixty-seven percent will leave for college and 50% cited job opportunities.

Only one high school respondent reported housing quality and availability as a reason to leave.

The good news, 50% answered yes when asked if they would like to return to the village in the future.