Senator Catherine Cortez Masto joined the Reno Housing Authority (RHA) on Friday to bring attention to the local efforts aimed at providing affordable housing for veterans. The Dick Scott Manor is a project that aims to offer affordable housing options to veterans who are homeless or at risk of experiencing homelessness.

"We need to do this, we need to figure out affordable housing," said (D-NV) Senator Catherine Cortez Masto.

Senator Cortez Masto and project leaders are emphasizing the importance of collaboration to address the acute need in Nevada. Federal and state funding, along with support from local organizations, can work together to make a meaningful difference.

On Friday, Senator Cortez Masto toured the building, which will still be under construction for months.

"It's twelve units of affordable housing specifically for homeless veterans or veterans at risk of homelessness," said Reno Housing Authority Director of Development J.D. Klippenstein.

The veterans will receive federal assistance through the Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH) voucher program. Check out the (HUD-VASH) program. 

"The voucher allows for the household to pay 30% of their income, and that's adjusted on their income," explained Klippenstein.

The affordable housing complex will also give the veterans wrap-around services.

"It will help them stabilize and make sure that their quality of life is as high as it can be as they address maybe some challenges that they have in their life or just really make that transition from being homeless," said Klippenstein.

Senator Cortez Masto says the critical element is the Federal government's relationship and involvement with local housing authorities.

The project cost around $5 million, with 3 million from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). 1.6 Million came from ARPA funds delivered by the state.

"Here is the challenge for all of us: financing! It's putting together the financing to keep the costs low. And, working with the housing coalitions that I have worked with here in Southern Nevada and Northern Nevada, part of this is the Federal government's relationship in being involved and recognizing that some of that financing comes at the federal level," explained Senator Cortez Masto.

The local community also plays a crucial role in making these projects happen. Reno Housing Authority (RHA) is deferring developing fees, and Senator Cortez Masto applauded local contractor company Plenium Builders for taking on the project.

"There's not a lot of builders that do, very few that do, because they believe in not only the project but also in their community and have that compassion," said Senator Cortez Masto.

Check out the comprehensive work Senator Cortez Masto is leading to support more housing for working families, including her new legislation to significantly increase the amount of federal funds available for RHA and affordable housing construction across the country.