Jake Hoppe Speaks at Urban Land Institute Seminar

The Urban Land Institute hosted a workshop in Omaha focused on tax-increment financing (TIF), a tool that helps fund housing and development projects in Nebraska. TIF has been used to lower costs for families and support housing projects in both urban areas, like Omaha, and rural towns, such as Scribner and Lexington.

Jake Hoppe of Hoppe Development spoke at the event about how TIF helps communities grow. In rural towns, his company has used TIF to build affordable homes, saving families thousands of dollars. “It’s more emblematic of what happens outside of Lincoln and Omaha,” Hoppe said, highlighting TIF’s impact in smaller communities. For example, $6 million in TIF funding helped build 130 homes in Grand Island.

Hoppe also discussed his plans to use TIF in North Omaha for a new project called Ernie Chambers Court. This development will include 211 homes, combining affordable and market-rate housing. Hoppe emphasized the importance of mixed-income neighborhoods, saying, “It would not happen without TIF.”

The workshop featured developers and local leaders who shared how TIF transforms neglected areas into thriving spaces. Projects like Omaha’s Blackstone District and Mutual of Omaha’s skyscraper owe their success to TIF. Critics, however, worry that TIF shifts tax dollars away from schools and services.

Despite these concerns, supporters like Hoppe believe TIF is essential for Nebraska’s growth. “We’re not just building homes; we’re creating opportunities for families and communities,” he said. The workshop encouraged expanding TIF’s use to benefit more areas and support affordable housing statewide.