Two of the biggest challenges in northern Nevada are lack of affordable housing and skilled workforce.
That's why Friends in Service Helping (FISH) has just completed a new low-cost student housing project. All apartments are one or two bedrooms, and they all come fully furnished, though the furniture is optional.
"Apartments are all done, we just got delivery of the playgrounds so we're in the process of getting that put up," said Jim Peckham, executive director of FISH. "But within a couple of weeks that'll be assembled and ready for people to start playing, getting ready for fall."
In addition to the housing units, a third building right across the parking lot will have two restaurants on the first floor. The second floor is free space for a business to rent out, and the third floor is a studying area to help train students and families with school and building skills.
"We're encouraging people to go into trades, medicine, technology, and then we can provide them very affordable housing while they go back to school. For a lot of people that probably should've gone to school but never did and what we say is we try to help people in need to succeed," says Peckham.
This project was about a $17 million and was completely funded thanks to the community through donations and fundraisers.
FISH is very grateful to the community for their support and proud that they never needed any government funding.
Once the student graduates then the organization continues to support them and help them transfer out.
"It's not like the university system where once you graduate, you're out. We start working with people and trying to figure out what kind of job they're in and help them get into jobs," said Peckham.
Peckham says they notice their program also helps parents become bigger role models for their kids.
"When the kids start to see mom and dad doing homework at the kitchen table, they start doing homework," he said. "So, their grades start going up and they start to understand the value of education and the importance of having more than just a high school education in order to compete in this job market."
Families, singles, roommates, and even pets are all welcomed. However, in order to live here you must already be enrolled into your school. To learn more about the program you can click here.
