Washoe County touts eviction mitigation, 50-unit supportive housing and code changes to expand housing types

Washoe County commissioners used the Sept. 2 State of the County presentation to summarize the county’s work on attainable housing and eviction mitigation, including emergency rental assistance, tenancy support successes and a new 50‑unit permanent supportive housing building at the Nevada Cares campus.

Commissioner Mariluz Garcia, who represents District 3, said the county obtained “a little under $6,000,000 from the treasury of initial COVID era funding to provide emergency rental assistance” and that the county’s tenancy support program has a 91% success rate in helping tenants resolve landlord issues and remain housed. “Not everyone qualifies for assistance,” Garcia said, noting ongoing demand.

Garcia described code changes intended to expand “missing middle” housing types such as duplexes and accessory dwelling units to increase attainable options compatible with single‑family neighborhoods. She said about half of county households are cost‑burdened (paying more than 30% of income on housing), with seniors and young adults among the most affected.

The county also announced a 50‑unit permanent supportive housing building on the Nevada Cares campus. County materials stated the project is funded through a $21,900,000 Home Means Nevada grant and a $5,600,000 supportive housing development fund award, with additional county funding for staffing and operations. The building will provide studio units with on‑site wraparound services, ADA accessibility, private bathrooms and kitchens, communal lounges and courtyards. The county said it partnered with Accessible Space Inc. to expand supportive housing on the campus.

Garcia linked the local work to state action, referencing SB540 (referred to in the presentation as the Nevada Attainable Housing Act) as legislation the county expects will help bring more projects forward. The presentation did not specify timelines for additional projects nor did it release a multi‑year funding plan for sustaining operations of new supportive housing units.

Commissioners encouraged regional collaboration and emphasized that homelessness and housing stability require multiple partners and funding sources. Public comments at the meeting urged more clarity on definitions of “attainable housing,” posting of crime data, and better coordination between cities and the county on housing impacts.