Omaha nonprofit Holy Name Housing Corporation recently broke ground on a new affordable housing development, Villa Rows, in North and South Omaha.

The townhouse development is split into two locations and will have a total of 23 new units. Seven units will be built in the Adams Park neighborhood at 34th Avenue and Miami Street, and 16 in Deer Park at 15th and Spring streets.

The homes are eligible for rent-to-own for tenants earning below 60% of the median income. Additionally, there are units for tenants making below 30% of the median income, with help from Heartland Family Services.

Gov. Pete Ricketts spoke at the June 29 ground-breaking ceremony, offering his support.

“This is an exciting day, a great project and demonstrates two important things,” Ricketts said. “The need for affordable housing for our families here in Omaha and also what it takes to get that done, which is a team effort of public-private partnership and everyone pulling together to make that vision a reality.”

Holy Name Executive Director Matthew Cavanaugh hopes the project has a broad impact.

“It’s our hope at Holy Name Housing Corporation that the townhomes that will rise here built with shared walls shoulder-to-shoulder will strengthen this community,” Cavanaugh said during the ceremony.