GRAND ISLAND, Neb. - - City leaders are working to address the lack of housing in Grand Island. 
 
“This will be a great benefit for Grand Island. I said earlier we have a wonderful problem we are growing a lot and when you grow a lot you need housing,” said Grand Island Mayor Roger Steele.
 
This lot will soon be filled with three five-plexes totaling 15 new homes. Eight of the homes in Hoppe Development's Orchard Subdivision will be reserved for residents at or below 120% of the area median income for 10 years.
 
Grand Island Area Economic Development President Mary Berlie said the $750,000 that Grand Island received from the Nebraska Affordable Housing Trust Fund will benefit the city. 
 
“Grand Island is strategically growing and because of that we need to have additional housing resources for our residents old and new," said Berlie.  "This development will only add to this housing growth that Grand Island is currently experience it. “
 
This is the first time Grand Island has received a financial award of this kind.
 
Hoppe Development CEO Fred Hoppe said housing is critical to a city's prosperity.
 
“Grand Island is a growing community and it is growing and to have business growth, to have employment growth you got have housing that matches it,” said Hoppe. 
 
Hoppe says construction will start soon on the houses and will take about nine months to finish.