Governor Pillen Signs Housing Affordability Bill to Boost Local Development

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BLAIR, Neb. – (June 25, 2026) – Governor Jim Pillen traveled to Blair this week to ceremoniously sign LB 1114, a legislative package designed to address the growing need for affordable housing across Nebraska. The bill, which was prioritized by the Legislature’s Urban Affairs Committee, includes the Community Improvement District Act, a tool intended to empower property owners to fund local infrastructure.

Joined by housing advocates, contractors, and local leaders, Pillen emphasized that the law provides a flexible mechanism for financing, constructing, and maintaining vital public improvements. The Community Improvement District (CID) model allows sections of the community to voluntarily form districts to support development projects that might otherwise be financially unfeasible.

“This legislation provides a critical tool for our communities to grow and thrive,” Pillen said during the ceremony. He noted that by lowering the hurdles for infrastructure development, the state can make housing more accessible for working families.

Senator Mike Jacobson, who introduced the CID Act, was also present to celebrate the bill’s enactment. While state leaders celebrated the local victory, a different story unfolded at the federal level regarding housing policy.

Nebraska’s entire congressional delegation recently voted for a bipartisan landmark housing bill intended to increase the national housing supply. However, the legislation faces a stalled future as President Donald Trump has indicated he will not sign the measure.

State officials in Nebraska said they remain focused on what can be accomplished at the local and state levels to mitigate rising costs. LB 1114 is seen as a cornerstone of these efforts, providing municipalities with more autonomy in how they manage expansion and community improvement. Advocates said they hope the new law will spark several new residential projects in the near future.