NORFOLK, Neb- Finding housing can be hard, especially for college students. Like the ones at UNMC’s College of Nursing Northern Division in Norfolk.

That’s why Senator Robert Dover is working with the City of Norfolk and UNMC to build housing for these nursing students.

“You know we are very grateful for senator Dover for taking something like this on behalf of the university.” Dele Davies Interim Chancellor of the University of Nebraska Medical Center said.

The need for housing comes after Faith Regional Health Services who works closely with UNMC in Norfolk said they need to recruit more students which is becoming difficult when students do not have a place to stay in Norfolk.

Angie Stenger, executive director of the Growing Together Program in Northeast Nebraska said that the housing on the Northeast College Campus is not easily available to nursing students and often has a waitlist.

“We are always looking to grow our students, there’s always a need for nursing, right?” Davies said, “It’s not just about the accommodation, it’s also about clinical sites that they can train at.”

Stenger has also expressed that this housing will help bring more people to Norfolk, since students tend to stay where they go to school after graduation.

When the bill was introduced to the legislature, Dover corrected his original fiscal note changing the total budget from $23 million to $15 million.

The state has agreed to give the project $250,000 during this budget cycle to start the planning phase.

There is also intent to allow $750,000 every year for 20 years starting in the next budget cycle which starts in 2027.

After many attempts we have not gotten comment from Senator Dover.