(The Center Square) — The nonprofit behind small affordable housing units for veterans sees the structures as a solution to the Las Vegas Valley housing crisis.
Three well-equipped affordable housing units, built by Rebuilding Together Southern Nevada, generated a buzz as construction finished on the North Las Vegas project. The nonprofit estimated 80,000 more affordable homes are needed in the area.
Two of the three new structures are two-bedroom units. One has three bedrooms.
“The affordable housing crisis reaches so far beyond just having a place to live,” Rebuilding Together Southern Nevada CEO Bob Cleveland told 8 News Now Las Vegas. “It affects you being able to have a job, your overall health – the kind of school your kids go to.”
The new homes for veterans are in a gated community with two-car garages. The residences are near charter schools, a Veteran Affairs hospital and a shopping area.
“It’s not built in the normal places where you would see affordable housing,” said Cleveland. “This is a really good location for someone to live.”
Cleveland did not respond Tuesday to a request for comment from The Center Square.
Of Nevada’s estimated 200,000 veterans, 8.3% live in poverty, compared to the state’s general average of 12%, according to statistics from the Nevada government.
Rebuilding Together Southern Nevada works to renovate and refit homes for low-income seniors, veterans and people with disabilities, largely in the Las Vegas area. Since 1994, the nonprofit has rehabilitated over 7,800 homes to the benefit of 14,000 Southern Nevada residents.
“These new units represent more than a place to live,” said Melissa Weinberg, board president of Rebuilding Together Southern Nevada Board, during a tour of the new buildings. “This is representative of dignity, opportunity and respect. This is also a promise that we will not leave our veterans behind.”
Rebuilding Together Southern Nevada said the nonprofit plans to build eight more units.
