HENDERSON (KTNV) — Affordable housing in the valley is a constant issue and people got a chance to discuss it this weekend.
There was a compact discussion in Henderson on Saturday during a forum on the pressing issue of affordable housing. The forum highlighted legislation passed including SB-103, which reduces or removes certain fees to build new affordable housing.
“These bills will help, but to address the specific issues that out happening in our communities, we’re not there yet,” said Sen. Joyce Woodhouse of Nevada's fifth district.
Cities like Henderson are trying to address the issue, by providing critical home repairs and giving interest free deferred loans.
"We need to look at our cities and counties. I know many of them have plans that they are working on,” Sen. Woodhouse said.
However, there can be barriers at times.
“The biggest problem is: how do you fund it," she said. "We do not have enough units and homes available at a level that people can afford.”
The Nevada Housing Coalition says for every 100 low-income households, there's only 19 affordable housing units available in Nevada.
State officials say it all comes down to the need for more affordable developments to provide homes for low-income families.
“We have to find ways to get them into living quarters that are clean and safe and that they are happy there,” Sen. Woodhouse said.
