News

Crossroads Mission Avenue is pleased to announce the opening of the Lodge East Apartments, consisting of 15 long-term housing apartments which are part of the Transitional Housing Facility on the Kearney Campus!  Located at 1408 E 39^th Street, the efficiency-style apartments are designed to offer an affordable housing option for low income residents of Buffalo County. 

Crossroads Mission Avenue has been serving the homeless in Central Nebraska  for 39 years, with locations in Kearney, Grand Island and Hastings.  The Kearney campus currently consists of an emergency shelter as well as transitional housing serving women in coordination with the State of Nebraska Probation, Drug Court and Parole.  We provide comprehensive care in a nurturing  environment, including services such as safe shelter, hot meals, life skills classes, and one on one case management which helps our guests gain employment, financial independence and stable housing.  This equips Crossroads guests for successful living after their time at the shelter and leads to homelessness prevention.  Since opening in Kearney on February 1, 2012, Crossroads has served almost 3,000 homeless men, women and children  in Buffalo County by providing more than 160,000 nights of stay for the needy.  Crossroads Mission Avenue Thrift Store is also located on the Kearney campus, providing employment and volunteer opportunities in the community, in addition to supplying an option for low cost clothing and household goods in Buffalo County.  

An invaluable addition to Crossroads’ services, the new transitional living apartments are designed to help low income families rise out of poverty.  In May 2017, in a study conducted by Capital for Compassion, of the 915 affordable housing units available in Kearney, there was a 99.6% occupancy rate (only 3 units were vacant).  In the years since that study was completed, the lack of affordable housing in Kearney remains an obstacle for low income individuals.  The 2021 Nebraska Housing Profile reports that the shortage of affordable housing continues, stating, “Severely cost burdened poor households are more likely than other renters to sacrifice other necessities like healthy food and healthcare to pay the rent, and to experience unstable housing situations like evictions.”  And the Congressional District Housing Profile, Nebraska 3^rd District report, updated July 2021, reveals statistics that prove Buffalo County’s low income residents still are not able to afford the fair market rental rates, even if affordable apartments were available.  The expansion of the transitional housing site on the campus of Crossroads Mission Avenue in Kearney will help meet this need for Buffalo County residents, as Crossroads accepts applications from eligible individuals referred by community agencies in addition to applications from graduates of the Crossroads 4-Phase Recovery Program. 

This new facility is the culmination of 10 years of planning and construction, and represents an investment of $3.3 million by Crossroads Mission Avenue in the Kearney community.  Completion of this project will provide transitional housing directly on the Kearney Crossroads Campus, allowing guests to take the next step in their recovery while their supportive services are still close-by.  The renovated building now includes 15 units of long term housing in efficiency-style apartments complete with their own kitchen and bathroom, with two of the larger units available to house families.  Each unit is fully furnished, including appliances, rugs, curtains and furniture.  Applications are now being accepted through referrals from community agencies.  Income guidelines apply.    

Daniel Buller, Executive Director for Crossroads Mission Avenue, is excited to be able to offer needed services in the Kearney community.  “Crossroads has been working to provide transitional living services to the Kearney community for around 10 years.  Thanks to the generosity of many individuals and Foundations, Crossroads has seen a vision come to life. We had promised transitional living service and now we have beautiful efficiency apartments open and available. We say thank you, and we praise God together for this next step in the ministry of Crossroads Mission Avenue.” 

Crossroads Mission Avenue’s mission is to bring glory to God through the helping of people.  Homelessness recovery is a long, complicated process for many of their guests, and step by step, Crossroads is there to help them in that process.