Rendering by Alley Poyner Macchietto Architecture
inCOMMON Community Development celebrated the groundbreaking of The Poppleton Wednesday, an affordable housing development located in the heart of the Park Avenue neighborhood. The project marks the first phase of a 121-unit mixed-income, mixed-use development that will provide help a solution to Omaha’s housing shortage.
Like many growing metro areas, Omaha is facing an affordable housing shortage that threatens the well-being of low-income residents. According to the 2021 Housing Affordability in the Omaha and Council Bluffs Area report, there is currently a shortage of 78,800 affordable housing units in the region, with the gap expected to grow to 104,000 units by 2040.
Recent redevelopment in the Park Avenue area has led to improvements and attracted middle-income residents, but it has also displaced low-income families. Displacement means losing access to essential services such as transportation, healthcare, schools, and local amenities, causing significant upheaval in families’ lives. The new affordable housing at The Poppleton will help mitigate this displacement and provide stability for residents.
Strategically located near public transit and other vital amenities, The Poppleton is a block away from inCOMMON’s Park Avenue Neighborhood Resource Center. The center provides a wide range of services, including workforce development, adult education, citizenship classes, financial education and youth programming.
Phase I of The Poppleton, scheduled for completion in fall 2026, will feature 51 units for residents with Area Median Incomes ranging from 40 to 80 percent. The unit mix includes studio, 1-bedroom and 2-bedroom apartments, with amenities such as underground parking, on-site laundry and a pickleball court.
The Poppleton will be developed in two phases, with the second phase adding additional units and commercial space. This project serves as a key part of a comprehensive community development strategy outlined by local residents in the Park Avenue Neighborhood Plan.
“inCOMMON and our partners understand the impact of affordable housing and the impact it has on a person’s success,” said Sheryl Garst, project manager for inCOMMON Housing. “We also know that the system has not kept up with the demand for affordable housing, and it’s getting more difficult each and every year and with each and every project. We are thankful for the contributions of time, talent and treasure for our Park Avenue community and the great city of Omaha, and the great state of Nebraska.”
