Council backs Afton Senior Housing plan, supports state funding and deed restriction

The Sparks City Council on Jan. 27 voted unanimously to support use of funds from the State of Nevada account for affordable housing for a proposed 142‑unit senior housing development called Afton Senior Housing.

Casey Chawla, an administrative analyst in Community Services, told the council the Call to Action Foundation’s project would site a hotel at 432 Marina Gateway and the 142‑unit multifamily project at 1275 East Prater. The resolution the council approved indicates support for project use of funds from the Nevada Housing Division’s state affordable‑housing account and asks for a deed restriction reserving all units for seniors earning 80% of area median income or less for at least 30 years.

Developer presentation and questions Drew Magalette, Call to Action Foundation director of housing, and Josh Soff, director of development, described the benefits of the state funding in enabling deeper affordability and said the deed restriction would formalize a long‑term affordability commitment. The foundation said it would own the property, with Evergreen Property Management of Salt Lake City contracted to manage the property; Evergreen was reported to be in the process of obtaining Nevada licensing.

Affordability and phasing Call to Action told council that at least 40% of the units would target households at 60% of area median income, with the rest at 80% AMI; typical underwritten rents for 1–2 bedroom units at 80% AMI were described by staff as roughly $200 below market in the area. The applicant said the project is under construction and is coordinating a phasing plan that could allow a smaller building or clubhouse to reach certificate of occupancy and open earlier than the whole site; staff advised the entitlement currently does not specify phasing and requested the developer coordinate with city staff to ensure permit and C of O processes are satisfied.

Why it matters If awarded state funds, the project would create a deed‑restricted senior affordable building in Sparks, reserving units to households earning no more than 80% AMI for at least 30 years, and reserving a portion of units at 60% AMI. The resolution is one step in an intergovernmental funding process — Washoe County is expected to consider a similar item — that state housing officials requested to accompany applications to the Nevada Housing Division.

Provenance Staff presentation by Casey Chawla and developer remarks by representatives from the Call to Action Foundation were recorded in the Jan. 27 meeting; council action and vote appear in the meeting minutes.

Next steps The developer will proceed with an application to the Nevada Housing Division and continuing coordination with city staff on permitting and phasing details.

Ending The council’s support does not itself allocate state funds; it documents municipal support that state reviewers requested and clarifies the city’s interest in a long‑term affordability restriction should state support be awarded.