Housing is the first domino. Without a confirmed address, parole and community supervision in Nebraska cannot begin, employment cannot start, and benefits cannot be accessed. Nebraska's supervision officers require an approved address before release is authorized.
Nebraska has a well-organized reentry infrastructure for a mid-sized state. The Nebraska Department of Correctional Services (NDCS) joined the national Reentry 2030 initiative in February 2024 as the fourth state in the country to do so, with a goal of raising the 72% community success rate to 82% by 2030. The state's Vocational and Life Skills (VLS) initiative funds 14 community organizations statewide. Nebraska's transitional housing options are concentrated in Omaha and Lincoln, with more limited options in rural areas and mid-sized cities like Kearney, Grand Island, and Hastings.
The Housing Landscape in Nebraska
Nebraska Department of Correctional Services (NDCS, corrections.nebraska.gov) provides a reentry services page listing community partner organizations with NDCS connections. NDCS Community Corrections facilities are the lowest security level of the state prison system (Community A or B), where people nearing release can work in the community and seek education before full release. The Vocational and Life Skills (VLS) initiative, administered by NDCS, funds 14 organizations statewide providing job training, life skills, education, and reentry services.
NDCS maintains a list of Level 2 Transitional Living facilities statewide, available through corrections.nebraska.gov and the Nebraska Reentry Continuity Advisory Board. Families should request this list from the NDCS case manager or parole officer as part of release planning.
The Nebraska Reentry Continuity Advisory Board meets regularly and focuses specifically on transitional housing supply, employment outcomes, and data collection. As of its 2025 meetings, Nebraska's correctional facilities were overcrowded -- holding over 1,600 more people than their designed capacity. The Advisory Board identified transitional housing as a key gap in Nebraska's reentry system.
In Omaha, the primary reentry housing and services network includes:
Never Give Up (NGU) Transitional Living (nevergiveupomaha.org): Men released from Nebraska prisons on community supervision or parole; peer mentor model using formerly incarcerated mentors; structured reentry support covering addiction, antisocial thinking, employment, and community reintegration; requires application, phone interview, and background review; not eligible for sex offenses. The University of Nebraska's ARC Lab is conducting a formal research evaluation of NGU (2025).
MHA Reentry Houses (mha-ne.org): Mental Health Association of Nebraska; reentry housing in Omaha with peer support, intentional peer support model, and wraparound services.
Community Alliance (communityalliance.org): Psychiatric and health care, supportive housing, supervised and independent apartment living; Omaha area and surrounding counties.
BAMB (Omaha): Vocational, individual, family, and transitional phase goals for men transitioning from incarceration back into Omaha.
Black Men United (BMU, Kumani Restorative Justice Center, Omaha): Founded 2023; reentry navigators; job searches, classes, employment, housing, and transportation for Black men with justice involvement.
RISE Academy (seeusrise.org): In-prison programming at multiple Nebraska facilities (OCC, NSP, TSCI, NCCW, RTC); RISE Youth and Family Program in both Omaha and Lincoln for people impacted by incarceration.
Community Justice Center (CJC): Restorative justice and reentry services in both Omaha and Lincoln; 5-key model: family reunification, peer support, connections, civic engagement, and recidivism reduction.
Metropolitan Community College 180 RAP (180 Re-Entry Assistance Program): Student-centered education and cognitive-based interventions through case management in Omaha.
In Lincoln, primary options include:
Connecting Links (Lincoln): Safe recovery environment; intensive outpatient and outpatient mental health and substance use services; food pantry.
Bridges to Hope (bridgestohopene.org, Lincoln): Clothing and housing resources for formerly incarcerated in Nebraska; active through 2025 with $120K generated through Bud's Thrift Shoppe fundraiser.
For mid-Nebraska cities (Kearney, Grand Island, Hastings):
Crossroads Mission Avenue (Crossroads Center): Faith-based transitional housing in Kearney, Grand Island, and Hastings through a four-phase recovery program; step-up housing for people transitioning to greater independence.
For federal inmates, the Bureau of Prisons coordinates RRC placement for Nebraska inmates through BOP RRM Kansas City. Federal RRC placement is coordinated by the BOP unit team beginning 17 to 19 months before the projected release date. Under the First Step Act, earned programming credits can result in RRC placement up to 12 months before release. Families do not apply to federal RRCs directly.
Federal Restrictions on Public and Subsidized Housing
Federal law divides criminal history restrictions on federally assisted housing into mandatory lifetime bans and discretionary bans. Both apply in Nebraska.
Mandatory lifetime bans apply regardless of which Nebraska housing authority is involved:
Anyone subject to a lifetime registration requirement under a state sex offender registration program is banned from admission to public housing and most HUD-assisted programs. This is federal statute and no Nebraska housing authority can waive it.
Anyone convicted of manufacturing methamphetamine on federally assisted property is permanently barred from all HUD-assisted housing.
Certain drug-related convictions carry mandatory restrictions depending on the specific program and conviction type, though PHAs retain some discretion in this category.
Discretionary bans apply to all other criminal history. Nebraska PHAs may consider criminal history but are not required to impose blanket denials. HUD guidance from 2016 encourages individualized assessment. Nebraska PHAs vary in how broadly they apply discretionary standards. The Housing Choice Voucher program (Section 8) is administered locally, so the specific policy depends on which Nebraska PHA covers the relevant area.
Nebraska has no statewide fair chance housing law limiting private landlord or PHA use of criminal history. Confirm whether Omaha or Lincoln have adopted local fair chance housing ordinances at publish time.
For Families
If anyone in the family lives in public or subsidized housing, this section requires immediate attention before release.
Adding a returning family member with certain criminal convictions to a household in public or HUD-assisted housing can constitute a lease violation and result in termination of the voucher or eviction of the entire household. Families in public housing must contact their specific housing authority before the person comes home. The conversation happens before release, not after.
For families in private rental housing, Nebraska has no statewide fair chance housing law. Landlords may use criminal history in tenant screening without state restrictions.
For families helping plan a return to rural Nebraska: resources are significantly more limited outside Omaha, Lincoln, and the mid-Nebraska cities served by Crossroads. Regional case management through NDCS parole supervision is typically the primary connection point for rural returning citizens. Ask the NDCS parole officer about the VLS initiative's 14 funded organizations and whether any serve the specific county of intended release.
What families can do before release:
Contact the housing authority immediately if anyone in the household lives in public or subsidized housing. Get the specific policy before the person arrives.
Contact the NDCS case manager about the Level 2 Transitional Living facility list and Community Corrections eligibility.
For Omaha: contact NGU Transitional Living (nevergiveupomaha.org), MHA Reentry Houses (mha-ne.org), and Community Alliance. Families can make these contacts on behalf of the person still inside.
For Lincoln: contact Connecting Links and Bridges to Hope (bridgestohopene.org).
For mid-Nebraska: contact Crossroads Mission Avenue about transitional housing in Kearney, Grand Island, and Hastings.
Ask the NDCS parole officer about VLS-funded organizations in the county of intended release.
Use Nebraska 211 (dial 211 or ne211.org) for housing referrals and reentry services by county.
Confirm all housing with the assigned supervision officer. An approved address is required before release.
State Resources
NDCS Reentry Services (corrections.nebraska.gov/rehabilitation/reentry-services-pathway-successful-future): Community partner listings; VLS initiative; Level 2 Transitional Living facility list.
NDCS Community Corrections: Lower security facilities allowing community work and education before full release.
Never Give Up Transitional Living (nevergiveupomaha.org, Omaha): Men on community supervision or parole; peer mentor model; structured reentry support.
MHA Reentry Houses (mha-ne.org, Omaha): Mental Health Association reentry housing with peer support and wraparound services.
Community Alliance (communityalliance.org, Omaha): Supportive and independent housing; psychiatric and health services.
Community Justice Center (CJC, Omaha and Lincoln): Restorative justice and 5-key reentry model.
RISE Academy (seeusrise.org): In-prison programming; RISE Youth and Family Program in Omaha and Lincoln.
Bridges to Hope (bridgestohopene.org, Lincoln): Clothing and housing resources for formerly incarcerated.
Connecting Links (Lincoln): Recovery environment; mental health and SUD services; food pantry.
Crossroads Mission Avenue (Kearney, Grand Island, Hastings): Faith-based transitional housing in mid-Nebraska.
Nebraska 211 (ne211.org; dial 211): Free statewide referrals to housing, reentry services, shelter, and emergency assistance by county.
Legal Aid of Nebraska (legalaidofnebraska.org): Free civil legal assistance for eligible low-income Nebraskans, including housing rights and record sealing.
Frequently asked questions
Can a felon get into public housing in Nebraska?
It depends on the conviction type and the specific Nebraska housing authority. Federal law mandates lifetime bans from HUD-assisted housing for people subject to lifetime sex offender registration and for people convicted of meth production on federally assisted property. Outside those mandatory bans, Nebraska PHAs have discretion to consider criminal history but are not required to impose blanket bans. Policies vary across Nebraska's housing authorities. Contact the specific PHA in the relevant city or county for their current policy.
What are the federal housing bans for felons?
Two are mandatory everywhere: (1) lifetime sex offender registration bars admission from HUD-assisted housing, and (2) conviction for manufacturing meth on federally assisted property is a permanent bar. Beyond those, PHAs have discretion to consider other criminal history but are not required to impose blanket bans. HUD guidance from 2016 discourages blanket denials and encourages individualized assessments considering the offense, time elapsed, and evidence of rehabilitation.
Can my family lose Section 8 if my person moves in?
Yes. Allowing a person with a disqualifying criminal history to reside in a Section 8 or public housing unit can constitute a lease violation and result in termination of the voucher or eviction of the entire household. Contact the housing authority before the person comes home. The conversation with the PHA happens before release, not after.
How does transitional housing work in Nebraska?
NDCS coordinates community corrections facilities and maintains a Level 2 Transitional Living facility list available through the case manager or parole officer. The VLS initiative funds 14 community organizations statewide for reentry services. In Omaha, NGU Transitional Living (peer mentor model), MHA Reentry Houses, and Community Alliance provide dedicated transitional and supportive housing. In Lincoln, Connecting Links and Bridges to Hope serve returning citizens. Crossroads Mission Avenue provides transitional housing in Kearney, Grand Island, and Hastings. For federal inmates, BOP RRM Kansas City coordinates RRC placement beginning 17 to 19 months before release; under the First Step Act, programming credits can result in placement up to 12 months before release.
What reentry housing programs exist in Omaha?
Several strong programs serve Omaha. Never Give Up Transitional Living (nevergiveupomaha.org) provides peer-mentored structured reentry housing for men on community supervision or parole -- not eligible for sex offenses. MHA Reentry Houses (mha-ne.org) provides reentry housing with the intentional peer support model. Community Alliance (communityalliance.org) provides supervised and independent apartment living with full wraparound health services. BAMB provides vocational and transitional support. Black Men United's Kumani Restorative Justice Center provides reentry navigation. Community Justice Center (CJC) operates the 5-key reentry model. Metropolitan Community College's 180 RAP provides education and case management. RISE Academy serves incarcerated individuals in multiple Nebraska facilities with community follow-up.
How does federal RRC placement work in Nebraska?
The BOP unit team begins reviewing federal inmates for RRC eligibility 17 to 19 months before the projected release date. BOP RRM Kansas City manages Nebraska placements. Under the First Step Act, earned programming credits can result in RRC placement up to 12 months before release. Families cannot apply to RRCs directly. The BOP coordinates based on the release plan, community of release, and available beds. Families can help by ensuring the planned release address is clearly documented with the case manager well in advance.
Can landlords in Nebraska refuse to rent to ex-felons?
Yes. Nebraska has no statewide fair chance housing law. Landlords may use criminal history in tenant screening without state restrictions -- confirm whether Omaha or Lincoln have local ordinances at publish. Landlords using background check services must comply with the federal FCRA, which requires consent and adverse action notices. HUD guidance advises that blanket criminal history bans may violate the federal Fair Housing Act through disparate impact. Legal Aid of Nebraska (legalaidofnebraska.org) provides free housing rights guidance.
What housing programs help returning citizens in Nebraska?
NDCS (corrections.nebraska.gov) coordinates VLS-funded organizations and Level 2 Transitional Living facilities. NGU Transitional Living (nevergiveupomaha.org) provides peer-mentor housing in Omaha. MHA Reentry Houses (mha-ne.org) provides Omaha reentry housing. Bridges to Hope (bridgestohopene.org) provides Lincoln housing and clothing resources. Connecting Links provides Lincoln recovery housing. Crossroads Mission Avenue serves Kearney, Grand Island, and Hastings. Community Alliance (communityalliance.org) provides Omaha area supportive housing. Nebraska 211 (ne211.org, dial 211) provides county referrals. Legal Aid of Nebraska (legalaidofnebraska.org) provides free housing rights help.
How do I find housing before my person is released?
Contact the NDCS case manager about the Level 2 Transitional Living facility list and Community Corrections eligibility. Ask about VLS-funded organizations in the county of intended release. For Omaha: contact NGU Transitional Living and MHA Reentry Houses. For Lincoln: contact Connecting Links and Bridges to Hope. For mid-Nebraska: contact Crossroads Mission Avenue. Call Nebraska 211 (ne211.org) for county referrals. If the family home is in public housing, contact the PHA immediately. Confirm all housing with the assigned supervision officer before release.
Do sex offenders face housing limits in Nebraska?
Yes. Nebraska law restricts registered sex offenders from residing within 500 feet of schools and child care facilities. Many Nebraska transitional housing programs, including NGU Transitional Living, explicitly do not accept sex offenders. NDCS supervision conditions for registrants may impose additional restrictions. Families of registrants must work directly with the supervising officer to identify compliant housing well before release. Confirm the current Nebraska statute (Nebraska Revised Statutes §29-4017 or current equivalent) and required distances at publish time. ---
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