The City of Omaha and Habitat for Humanity will partner to build affordable housing on a long-vacant property in north Omaha.

The city demolished the Wintergreen Apartments near 51st Street and Sorensen Parkway in 2006 and took possession of the property in 2007.  The 15.75 acre property was previously considered for storm water control, which is no longer needed, according to a city news release.

The city will transfer the property to Habitat Omaha for $1 under Nebraska Community Development law. Habitat Omaha will build 88 single family homes on the property, each with three to five bedrooms and up to 1,800 square feet with appraised values from $175,000 to $200,000.

“The City of Omaha and Habitat for Humanity are good partners with a long record of working together to provide safe, affordable housing and making a difference in our neighborhoods,” Mayor Jean Stothert said in a news release. “This project creates additional opportunities for home ownership and will build up the surrounding neighborhoods.”

Habitat Omaha has agreed to improve sidewalk and street connectivity with the surrounding neighborhoods. The initial plan calls for connecting Mary Street and Newport Avenue to Forest Lawn Avenue.

“Omaha has a need for quality workforce housing and this development will help meet that need while removing barriers to homeownership,” Habitat Omaha CEO Amanda Brewer said in a news release. “We are so excited to take on this project. We look forward to working with the neighbors in the area, our partners, and the City of Omaha. Together, we’ll transform this vacant land into brand new homes.”

The agreement must be approved by the Planning Board and the Omaha City Council. Site preparation work will begin this year, construction on the first homes will start in 2023.

Habitat Omaha will host two community meetings to share plans for the new development, receive feedback and answer questions. Those meetings will be May 25 at noon via Zoom and May 27 at an in-person place and time to be announced.

In 2021, Habitat Omaha will complete a total of 51 homes in Omaha. The organization sells houses at the appraised value to qualified families. Each new homeowner signs standard loan documents, contracting to pay affordable loans over a period of 30 years. The total valuation of Habitat Omaha homeowner properties is estimated at $37.4 million.

Find more information at habitatomaha.org/community.