january 2020

A MESSAGE FROM OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS

By Mike Shohet, Nevada Housing Coalition Vice President

There is Strength in Numbers

$18.85/hr. – the hourly wage needed to be able to afford a two-bedroom rental in Nevada.

19 – the number of homes that are affordable for every 100 extremely low-income families (30% AMI and below).

73 – the number of hours a Nevadan must work at minimum wage ($8.25/hr) to afford a rental.

These numbers tell a story, however, the stories we hear from our friends, families, neighbors and media don’t always depict them. We often hear how inexpensive Nevada is relative to our neighbors in California. We frequently read articles singing Nevada’s praises as a low-cost alternative and with plenty of capacity for growth in housing prices. But these storylines don’t necessarily provide the same promising future for all Nevadans. Pricing pressure from the demand generated by people moving to Nevada, in many cases, has resulted in increasing housing prices and growing rents that top the national numbers. The elderly in Washoe County are finding themselves homeless as landlords raise rents 30% overnight. Working families in Las Vegas are finding fewer options for housing that is affordable, and we see households squeezing more people into smaller spaces or being displaced into neighborhoods with inferior schools, poorer access to transit, quality food and healthcare.

These are the stories that need to be told. The Nevada Housing Coalition was founded in 2018 in order to raise awareness about affordable housing challenges by telling these stories, which will help ignite conversations around solutions. We are a statewide collaborative of public and private sector organizations representing industry, non-profits, community stakeholders and citizens. We have made great progress coming off the heels of 2019 legislative session during which affordable housing was widely discussed – but there is much work to be done.

Housing affordability impacts every single one of us. Whether you’re involved in the housing industry or not, we ask you to join our organization and, more importantly, join our collective voice. After all, there is incredible strength in numbers. With your help, we can make a difference in our state and in each of our local communities.   

Members benefit from information, education, advocacy and networking. Our upcoming Nevada Affordable Housing Symposium is just one example of these benefits. Stay tuned for details about that exciting event and join us today.

Mike Shohet
Vice Chairman

Mike
msohet@compassdevco.com  

EVENTS

Watch for:

May 2020
Nevada Housing Coalition Annual Conference

Las Vegas

PREVIOUS EVENTS

January 28, 2020
Project Homeless and Family Connect
Reno 

January 23, 2020
Landlord Lunch and Learn – Supportive Housing programs in Las Vegas
 
Las Vegas

January 20, 2020
Southern Nevada Regional Housing Authority

Board Meeting Chambers, 340 N 11th Street.

January 17, 2020
State Land Use Planning Advisory Council (SLUPAC)

January 15, 2020
Tell the City Council: Housing Not Handcuffs!

Las Vegas

January 13, 2020
Nevada Housing Division

Nevada’s 2020 Qualified Allocation Plan for Low-Income Housing Tax Credits.
 

December 11, 2019
ABCs of Fair Housing for Real Estate and Property Management Professionals

Last November, NHC hosted a Lunch and Learn: Gentrification and Displacement: 101. If you missed it, you can view it here.
We also hosted a “Brunch and Learn,” which can be viewed here.

NEVADA HOUSING NEWS

The Advisory Committee on Housing met on December 13, 2020.  At the meeting, they: (1) discussed the roles and responsibilities of the Advisory Committee on Housing created by Assembly Bill 476; (2) reviewed the criteria established by the Nevada Housing Division pursuant
to NRS 319.510 and the annual plan developed by the Division; (3) Reviewed the proposed Nevada Housing Division Qualified Contract Process Manual; (4) Discussed the Report to be submitted to the Private Activity Bond Council addressing community needs for housing in the State, housing trends, and housing goals for the State; and (5) Discussed drafting one legislative measure which relates to matters within the scope of the committee.

NORTHERN NEVADA HOUSING UPDATES

Reno City Council:

The Reno City Council met on December 4th where they heard the following housing related items:

  •  Staff Report (For Possible Action): Resolution supporting the passage of the Affordable Housing Credit Improvement Act Legislation (Senate – 1703 and House – 3077) to establish a permanent minimum housing credit rate and allow a basis boost to create more available equity in the four percent bond program.   
  •  Staff Report (For Possible Action): Resolution granting designated affordable housing funds to Eddy House to offset sewer fees and water rights at the planned 24-hour youth resource center facility and approval of a grant agreement in the amount of $145,000. (Affordable Housing Funds)
  • Staff Report (For Possible Action): Resolution granting designated affordable housing funds to Truckee Meadows Housing Solutions to offset sewer fees for a planned nine unit affordable housing development located on APN 010-610-08 and approval of a grant agreement in the amount of $75,000. (Affordable Housing Funds)  

The Washoe County Board of Commissioners met on December 10th  and heard recommendations to approve a grant award for FY 2019-20 for Silver State Fair Housing Council (SSFHC) in the amount of $10,000. They also met on December 17th and heard a recommendation (For Possible Action) to approve the construction budget for the Our Homeless Housing Project.

OTHER NEWS

Affordable Housing Programs (AHP) grants will be available soon. AHP grants are awarded through a competitive application process to Bank members working with housing developers or community organizations to create rental or homeownership opportunities for lower-income households. The application deadline for the 2020 AHP funding competition is Monday, March 9, 2020. Application materials will be available January 23, 2020. To learn the essentials of submitting a successful application, attend a 2020 AHP Application Webinar – register today!
 

RESOURCES