U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Ben Carson was in Omaha today to tour a new development in North Omaha. Carson met with Mayor Jean Stothert and Congressman Don Bacon in a roundtable discussion and to tour The Highlander Apartments.
Carson tells KFAB's Chris Baker, "It is a beautiful development in which you have both public and private resources aimed at creating affordable housing. It is mixed income. They are doing things that develop a sense of community. There is a swimming pool, a community center with a community college in it, a greenhouse where people can do some gardening. The apartment complex is absolutely beautiful and the cost is amazingly affordable."
Omaha received $28 million in Housing Authority money and tore down the former Spencer Homes to make way for the new development. Carson says those former residents will receive vouchers to find other housing while the Highlander is being built.
Phase one of the complex is complete with two more phases planned.
The city received another Housing Authority grant that will be used to raise the Southside Terrace Apartments
Photo courtesy of 6 News.