News Summary
The Las Vegas City Council is considering the sale of Desert Pines Golf Course to develop affordable housing in response to the housing crisis in Southern Nevada. The project aims to create a mix of housing options, financing approved for its first phase, and plans for additional affordable housing communities. The urgent need for affordable housing is underscored by rising housing costs in the region.
Las Vegas City Council to Discuss Sale of Desert Pines Golf Course for Affordable Housing Development
The Las Vegas City Council is set to deliberate the potential sale of Desert Pines Golf Course during an upcoming meeting. This proposed sale aims to repurpose the golf course in east Las Vegas into affordable housing as part of the city’s response to the ongoing real estate crisis affecting Southern Nevada.
The meeting agenda includes a resolution for the sale of the golf course, which is currently owned by the city but operated by a third-party entity. City officials plan to offer the golf course at below-market value, with the decision to sell not being made available to the general public.
The ambitious Desert Pines Redevelopment Project will focus on developing a mix of housing options including affordable units, single-family homes, and townhomes, along with a recreation area and various commercial amenities. This project marks a significant step towards alleviating the housing shortages in the region.
Financing and Project Cost
In a key development, the Nevada State Infrastructure Bank has approved $25 million in financing for the first phase of the project, which is set to cost approximately $57.3 million. The funding will be administered to the non-profit organization Urban Strategies, in collaboration with the developer McCormack Baron Salazar. The overall budget for the Desert Pines project is projected to reach around $450 million.
Addressing Housing Needs
The need for affordable housing is critical in Southern Nevada. Recent data from the Regional Transportation Commission indicates that one in three local households spends over 30% of their income on housing. This trend underscores the urgency for initiatives aimed at providing affordable options for residents.
In a related effort, the Heirloom at Pebble project, which opened recently in southeast Las Vegas, illustrates the growing focus on affordable housing solutions. Developed by Ovation Development, this community cost nearly $48 million to construct and offers 195 units specifically designed for seniors. To qualify for a one-bedroom unit at Heirloom at Pebble, residents must be 55 years or older with an annual income below $42,800, which equates to about 50%-60% of the area’s median income.
At Heirloom at Pebble, rental rates for one-bedroom apartments are set at $1,147 per month, inclusive of all utilities. The facility includes various amenities such as a fitness center, an on-site hair salon, community events, and multipurpose rooms. Additionally, the project’s funding was supported by Clark County, the Nevada Housing Division, and the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco, alongside land contributed by the federal Bureau of Land Management.
Future Developments in Affordable Housing
Ovation Development is also planning additional affordable housing communities; six more are in the pipeline, with another project expected to launch in August of this year. These developments are part of a broader strategy to address the severe shortage of affordable housing in the Las Vegas area.
Moreover, a non-profit initiative known as The Shop Class NV is working to create job opportunities by equipping students with skills to construct tiny homes, contributing to Nevada’s efforts to tackle the affordable housing crisis.
The discussions regarding the sale of Desert Pines Golf Course and the subsequent development plans reflect Las Vegas’s ongoing determination to confront the housing challenges faced by many residents across the region.
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Additional Resources
- News3LV: Redevelopment of Desert Pines Golf Course
- Wikipedia: Affordable Housing
- Las Vegas Sun: Senior Housing Crisis
- Google Search: Affordable Housing Las Vegas
- KTNV: Affordable Housing Forum Discussion
- Google Scholar: Affordable Housing Issues Las Vegas
- Review Journal: New Senior Housing Complex
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Housing
- GlobeNewswire: FHLBank Grants for Affordable Housing
- Google News: Senior Housing Las Vegas
