Last month we brought you a story about the struggle senior citizens face to find affordable housing.
On Monday, we were in south Reno for a ground breaking at a new complex promising 230 affordable senior apartments.
The big empty lot sits right off the Damonte Ranch exit, walking distance from stores and restaurants. That was strategic, say the developers, and so is everything else planned for the Vintage at the Crossing, which will house residents who are 55 years and older.
Dane Hillyard is with GreenStreet Communities, the developer; “There's gardens, there's walk paths, there's exercise, library, fitness, movie theater. All kinds of things for them.”
The 230 planned units will be for independent living, and will range in price from $500 - $700 per month in rent. The complex will be for lower income seniors - housing that northern Nevada is desperate for.
CJ Manthe with Nevada Housing Division explains why; "It really stems back to the housing crisis and the financial collapse. At that time, banks were not lending money and new construction was not happening.”
So the Silver State is playing catch-up. The Vintage at the Crossings plans to open its doors by December of 2017. On the east side of town, Senior Manor houses low income residents who are 62 years or older. Many pay $200-$300 per month.
Heather Bolen is the Community Administrator for Senior Manor; "If they have no income, then they would pay no rent, so if we didn't have places like this we would have more people homeless."
Volunteers of America built the eight story facility in 1979 and has been running it ever since. The demand for low income housing prompted VOA to build a new 40 unit complex next door. There are now a total of 187 apartments.
"There's always been a wait list,” says Bolen. “Currently it's operating at eight months to a year, minimum."
From developers to government agencies, all parties agree affordable housing--and not just for seniors--promises to be an ongoing challenge for northern Nevada.
