Housing
Rosen helps secure increased funding for tribal housing programs
Nevada Democratic U.S. Sen. Jacky Rosen announced Monday that $1.34 billion in funding for tribal housing programs is now available, including for the Indian Housing Block Grant program. The funding was included in the government spending package approved by Congress and signed into law last week. Native Americans in tribal areas have some of the […]
Section 8 housing voucher waitlist is huge, number of landlords willing to accept vouchers isn’t
The Southern Nevada Regional Housing Authority is currently processing 10,000 applications for housing vouchers, which provide rental subsidies for low income residents. That’s after 27,000 applied. And there is no guarantee that even those approved for processing will find landlords who will accept them, state and local lawmakers were told recently. The housing authority updated […]
When rentals aren’t livable, tenants’ remedies can be confusing, burdensome, and costly
When attorneys and housing justice organizers call for reforming how courts handle disputes between landlords and tenants, they often point to Nevada’s unique, and quick, summary eviction process, which puts the onus on tenants to first file with the courts. Legal aid providers told lawmakers on Thursday summary evictions aren’t the only court issue and […]
When will housing affordability improve? Spoiler alert: It will take some time
Inflation is slowing and job growth has surged, but many Americans still feel the burden of expensive housing – fueled in part by high demand, low inventory and mortgage rates. Home prices across the U.S. rose 5.5% over the past year in December 2023 and they are projected to increase 2.8% year over year by […]
Sparks clarifies laws punishing unhoused for sleeping on sidewalks, in cars as criminal offenses
After confusion over whether a series of laws passed in August that target those experiencing homelessness chronically are civil or criminal infractions, the Sparks City Council voted unanimously to clarify those ordinances as criminal misdemeanors. The ordinance passed Monday sought to clear up language in the recent law that restricts unhoused people sleeping on sidewalks […]
Hoping a snapshot of homelessness illustrates a path forward
The morning light is barely starting to pierce through the sky when a group volunteering to conduct the annual homeless census meet Cindy Williams, who is wearing a bright pink sweatshirt and holding a sign that reads “Hungry. Thank you. God Bless” The group, which includes U.S. Rep. Steven Horsford and Clark County Commissioner Richard […]
Wronged by a licensed contractor? Nevada has a fund for that
Kelly Lange thought she did everything right. The Las Vegas homeowner knew she should use a licensed contractor for a planned kitchen remodel. She picked an established company, checked their online reviews, and made sure their license and bonding was current. “I work for a (public) utility here in town,” she said, “so I knew […]
Clark County offers fast-track licensure to address foster parent shortage
The Clark County Department of Family Services will start offering fast-tracked classes for foster care licensure this weekend through the end of September to address the shortage of foster parents. “Family Services started offering expedited training in 2023, in response to the extreme shortage of foster parents in Clark County. We are finding that this […]
Who’s protecting Tahoe? Regulatory agency enamored with development, say critics
The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency, charged since 1969 with protecting Lake Tahoe from overdevelopment, has lost sight of its mission and lacks accountability according to a number of California and Nevada residents, including Nevada Secretary of State Francisco Aguilar, a member of the TRPA’s governing board. Aguilar is the only member of the 15-person board […]
Rosen introduces Washoe County public lands bill
Washoe County may soon see a boost in development and construction after Nevada’s junior U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen announced a new federal land bill on Tuesday. As the state with the highest percentage of public land in the nation, Nevada relies on federal legislation to increase land available for development. The Truckee Meadows Public Lands […]
Horsford, Cortez Masto call for investigation into credit union rejecting Black, Hispanic mortgage applicants
Nevada Congressional members are calling for an investigation into Navy Federal Credit Union, the nation’s largest credit union for service members, after reports found it rejected nearly half of its Black and Hispanic mortgage applications. The Congressional Black Caucus, which is chaired by U.S. Rep. Steven Horsford, sent a letter to the credit union Friday […]
Lee, nonprofits discuss resources amid growing housing crisis
Nevada is in a “severe housing crisis,” and one that would be even worse if not for federal assistance programs enacted during the Biden administration, Democratic Rep. Susie Lee said in Las Vegas Friday. Lee heard from nonprofits providing food, housing and utilities assistance including the Just One Project and the United Way of Southern […]