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Sparks secures state and federal funding for affordable housing, shelter services and pedestrian upgrades
Summary
Mayor Ed Lawson said the city secured $2.8 million through Home Means Nevada to purchase two parcels for affordable housing, assisted 299 households with rental aid tied to AB 396, awarded CDBG funds to Eddie House, and won federal CPF grants totaling $4 million and $1.3 million for a community hub and pedestrian rehabilitation.
Sparks officials said the city has advanced multiple housing and community-service efforts after securing state and federal funding.
Mayor Ed Lawson said the Home Means Nevada program provided $2,800,000 in funding to purchase two parcels that the city intends to develop into affordable housing. Lawson described the purchases as "a small but important step in addressing the housing challenges we face."
The mayor credited state-level rental assistance created by AB 396 (2023) with helping 299 Sparks households in 2024 remain housed after financial hardship. The city also awarded community development block grant funds — nearly $77,000 in fiscal year 2023–24 and about $87,000 in fiscal year 2024–25 — to support Eddie House, which provides shelter and services to homeless youth in Washoe County.
For broader community services, Lawson highlighted a $4,000,000 Federal Community Project Funding award (CPF) for the "Audi Project," a collaboration with the Food Bank of Northern Nevada and The Children's Cabinet to develop a community center and resource hub at Audi Boulevard and Sullivan Lane. The planned hub is intended to provide affordable child care, a community food pantry, workforce development training, meeting space and wraparound case management.
Lawson also said the city received more than $1,300,000 in federal CPF funds for the Kate Smith Pedestrian Rehabilitation Project, which will improve curbs, gutters, sidewalks, driveway approaches and ADA ramps near Kate Smith Elementary School; the project is planned to begin this spring. No formal council action was reported during the address related to new program rules; officials described funding awards and planned uses.
