Lincoln, Neb. – A major milestone in affordable housing is taking shape in southwest Lincoln. Emerald View Apartments, a 128-unit development led by the Lincoln Housing Authority and designed by Schemmer, is wrapping up construction with only a few final site items remaining.

But this project is more than just buildings. It’s about creating a place that feels like home from day one.

“I was told early on that the idea was to give every unit its own front porch or balcony,” said Project Architect Angel Coleman. “That one detail really set the tone. It’s about giving people ownership of their space. That sense of, this is mine.”

The development features a blend of four-plex townhomes and eight-plex apartments across a 13.62-acre site near S. Folsom Street and W. Old Cheney Road. About 75% of the units are income-restricted, made possible through Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC). Schemmer supported the initial tax credit application, and after a successful award, took on full design and construction administration services.

Designing affordable housing often means walking a tightrope between cost and quality. Angel explained how the team navigated this balance:

“There were value-engineered items that created challenges later, but we always circled back to: is this worth it for the resident? Knowing your vendors and product alternatives helps. There are affordable options that still look and feel high-quality. And by standardizing unit layouts across the board, we also made accessible units easier to integrate.”

That kind of thoughtful decision-making shows up in small but impactful ways: half-doors to access under-stair storage, tall cabinets, tucked-away nooks that create usable space, and even a custom balcony drainage system to prevent water runoff over entryways.

For Angel, designing for real life was always top of mind:

“I thought about every stage of life: a recent graduate, a couple, someone with kids, an empty nester. Does it feel like a home? Can they host guests? Is there a place for the TV, for groceries, for shoes by the door? Those things matter.”

Safety and logistics also played a big role. With construction happening in phases, the team ensured completed buildings could be safely occupied while work continued on others.

Even though Angel joined the project after the initial concept design, she had a clear guiding light:

“I had to stay within grant-mandated square footage, but I still wanted the buildings to feel intentional with aligned windows, balanced materials, natural light where it was needed. Everything had to work together, inside and out.”

Now, with families already moving into finished buildings, signs of community are blooming: potted plants on patios, decorations on balconies, kids playing in shared green spaces.

“I hope in five years it’s filled with tall trees, happy families outside, and housing that blends seamlessly with the neighborhood around it,” Angel said.

That’s the vision behind Emerald View, not just affordable housing, but a place to grow roots.

SCHEMMER – DESIGN WITH PURPOSE. BUILD WITH CONFIDENCE.

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