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Officials
from Clark County, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM)
and the U.S. Department of Housing and Development (H.U.D.)
joined a non-profit developer and its private
contributors to celebrate the groundbreaking of an
affordable housing development for seniors made possible
by a Congressional act.
“As
a representative of this district, and a long-time
realtor who has seen the effects of the rising housing
and rental prices, I know many seniors have felt the
downside of those changes,” said Commissioner Susan
Brager, who represents the area. “This site is a
physical reminder that help is on the way.”
The
five-acre parcel on Jones and Harmon avenues is the
first affordable housing property made available under
the Southern Nevada Public Land Management Act (SNPLMA).
The act paved the way for government agencies to buy
land from the BLM for up to a 95-percent discount if it
is used to build affordable housing.
“The
groundbreaking is the result of many hands working
together from Capitol Hill on down to community
leaders,” said Clark County Commission Chairman Rory
Reid. “It is a reminder that we can achieve anything
if we work together.”
Affordable
housing has been identified by Clark County’s Growth
Management Task Force as a top priority. This
groundbreaking marks progress toward meeting that need.
The
BLM has more than 1,300 acres reserved for affordable
housing in the Las Vegas Valley. This was the first
application received and processed to sell land for
affordable housing under provisions of the SNPLMA. A
second application for affordable (multi-family) housing
is currently being processed.
"The
BLM is a partner with our communities to make affordable
housing a reality in Southern Nevada," said Juan
Palma, BLM Las Vegas Field Manager.
The
land, originally appraised for $3 million, was sold to
Nevada H.A.N.D. for $198,000. The non-profit developer
will construct 103 units for low-income seniors.
"Nevada
HAND is proud to have been selected by Clark County
to be the first to develop affordable housing under the
Southern Nevada Public Lands Management Act," said
Mike Mullin, president of Nevada H.A.N.D., Inc.
Bank
of Nevada provided construction financing of
approximately $3.8 million toward Harmon Pines. Tax
credit equity contributions from MMA are approximately
$11 million. Community Development Financial Institution
will provide the first mortgage of approximately $3.5
million. Construction is expected to be completed in
October of this year.
If
you are interested in living at Harmon Pines Senior
Apartments, please call (702) 739-3345 ext. 0 to be
placed on the waiting list.
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