Reports & Publications

Las Vegas, Nevada: Affordable Housing Programs

Record-breaking appreciation in land value, construction costs and housing prices have led to a short supply of affordable and workforce housing in Las Vegas. Given the impact on the city and throughout Southern Nevada, Mayor Oscar B. Goodman has city staff using innovative ways to help remove affordable housing impediments. The city created an internal taskforce that identified impediments to the development of affordable housing and have already begun implementing strategies including:

• The city receives surplus land from the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) for future affordably housing developments. The city passes the land to affordable housing developers through an RFP at below market rates.

• Prior to transferring the land, the city makes any necessary changes to land entitlements (i.e., zoning, general plan amendments) to compliment the RFP. This reduces expenses, otherwise transferred to an affordable housing developer.

• The city has modified its grant funding application cycle to better accommodate the affordable housing developer who needs to layer funding sources. The city now allows for funding applications to be reviewed and rewarded throughout the year.

Through the Neighborhood Services Department, the city of Las Vegas has created a variety of affordable housing programs, including:

• Homeownership for Educators Program – In a partnership with the Clark County School District (CCSD), the city funds a program to assist teachers with the high cost of housing.

• Community Land Trust (CLT) – Through long-term land leases the CLT sells homes to qualified home buyers. Homeowners can build equity but the home remains affordable for the next buyer through an equity sharing agreement with the CLT.

• Community Partners Investment Program (CPIP) – Acquires vacant land in existing neighborhoods for affordable housing development and to serve as a catalyst for neighborhood revitalization efforts.

For more information on Las Vegas' efforts contact: Stephen Harsin at sharsin@lasvegasnevada.gov or (702) 299-2317.

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