Nevada's geographic expanse, coupled with the remote nature of its rural areas, presents a number of challenges to efficiently provide and sustain housing facilities, social services, and other community and economic development activities.
Nevada will use approximately $2.7 million of Community Development Block Grant funds and program income to address community development needs to include public facilities, economic development, training/technical assistance, planning/capacity building, and housing rehabilitation. Additionally, the HOME Investment Partnership Program, HOPWA (Housing for Persons with Aids), Emergency Shelter Grant (ESG), Account for Low-Income Housing, and Section 8 Certificates and Vouchers will be used to address housing needs.
The state is following a detailed citizen participation plan that was
designed to encourage the active involvement of citizens at all levels regarding
the proposed and actual uses of CDBG, HOME, HOPWA, and ESG funds. Advisory
Committees, made up of individuals from affected areas, actually make funding
recommendations on CDBG projects. Rural representatives have input into CDBG
program priorities and policies, as well. The consolidated planning process has
integrated HOME, HOPWA, and ESG into the CDBG citizen participation process.
Nevada is the 7th largest state in the Union, comprising more than 110,000 square miles. Almost 90 percent of the population is located within two metropolitan areas - Las Vegas to the south and Reno in the north. By contrast, less than 20 percent of the state's residents live in small communities throughout 90 percent of the state's land area. Nevada's population continues to be one of the fastest growing in the United States. The population increased by almost 50 percent from 1980 to 1990. The State Demographer estimates that by the year 2000 the total population could increase by 52 percent over the 1990 Census figures (1,201,833). Rural areas comprise the highest concentration of elderly persons. In several counties the proportion of elderly (age 65+) exceeds 15 percent of the total population.
Hispanics and Native Americans are the largest groups of minorities in the
non-metropolitan areas of Nevada. Black households account for less than one
percent of the households. Nearly 49 percent of Native American households and
29.2 percent of White households have incomes below 50 percent of the Median
Family Income. Poverty in rural Nevada tends to be concentrated among elderly
persons and families with female heads of household. Seventy-five percent of
the counties exceeded the 125 percent poverty threshold for all elderly persons,
and nearly 60 percent of the counties exceeded the poverty threshold for female
heads of households.
The type of housing unit (single-family, multi-family, and mobile/manufactured home) varies in each individual county, although manufactured home occupancy is higher in the more rural counties. In rural Nevada the majority - nearly 80 percent - of new housing units developed since 1980 were manufactured homes. Manufactured home use can be attributed to the demand for inexpensive housing by the influx of retirees, as well as the need for temporary use by mining industry workers.
The percentage of rental use in rural Nevada ranges from 26 percent to 40 percent, as compared to 46 percent in Washoe County (Reno) and 48 percent in Clark County (Las Vegas). The highest concentration of renters is in Carson City, Pershing, and Esmeralda Counties. The highest concentration of owner-occupied units is in Lincoln, White Pine, Storey, and Lyon Counties.
Large and small renter households have the highest priority housing needs. Reducing overcrowding conditions among small renter households is the second highest need, followed by housing needs for the elderly and the homeless.
Housing needs in Nevada are affected by several variables, such as: vacancy rates among rental units, the incidence of overcrowding conditions, a recent history of increasing housing costs, and emerging demographical trends. In 1990, there were 17,255 low-income households in rural Nevada. Just over 8,000 households had incomes less than 30 percent of the median family income. More than half of the low-income households were owners; the majority of which (58 percent) were elderly.
The tremendous growth in Nevada's population translates into equally strong demand for new housing units. It was estimated that 42,123 new persons would live in rural Nevada by 1995; net population is expected to increase by 36,393 from 1995 to 2000. The total increase in demand for housing is projected to be over 29,000 units from 1990 to 2000.
The vacancy rates among one-bedroom (13.5%), two-bedroom (11.4%), and three-bedroom (6.9%) units suggest a demand for larger units. Overcrowding among certain types of households can also be another indicator of housing demand. The incidence of overcrowding in many Nevada Counties is well above 50 percent (1990 Census).
The percentage of housing units lacking adequate plumbing is higher in rural Nevada than in the urban areas of Washoe and Clark Counties. According to the 1990 Census, the highest concentration of structurally inadequate housing units occurs in Esmeralda, Pershing, Storey, and Humboldt Counties. The inadequacy may be attributed to the age of the housing stock; for example, many structures in Storey County predate the 1900s.
There is a widespread lack of adequate weatherization in homes of low-income Nevadans. This lack, coupled with envelope degradation, causes many rural renters and home owners alike to experience high utility costs, excessive housing costs, and decreased comfort level.
There is a substantial need for affordable housing in Nevada. Nearly 5,200 low-income households (62.5 percent) spent more than 30 percent of their income for housing. Sixty percent of elderly households paid more than 30 percent of their income on housing. While the cost of housing varies in rural Nevada, in general, housing costs are higher in western counties - Washoe, Douglas, and Carson City. The highest reported rents - including fair market rents - and housing values occur in the three aforementioned counties, although values alone cannot determine fully the housing affordability of a community. The most affordable housing is located in Lander, Lincoln, and Mineral counties.
A 1987 statewide survey estimated that 22,600 persons were homeless in Nevada. For non- entitled areas of the State, the survey indicated there are approximately 3,000 single persons homeless households and 873 family households. More recent estimates place the "homeless special needs population" at 6,000 persons. Ninety-five percent of these are identified as persons in homeless families and adults over the age of 18. A high percentage (34 percent) have alcohol or drug abuse problems. Overall, there is a wide variety of homeless needs.
Shelter and beds for homeless persons are primarily found in Carson City, Churchill, and Elko Counties. There are a total of 153 beds for homeless persons, including victims of domestic violence, substance abuse, and mental health. Emergency shelter assistance in very rural Nevada is provided by county welfare departments via local motel rooms in most cases. The availability of day shelters and soup kitchens is limited to Carson City, Elko, and White Pine Counties. Again, the primary providers for shelter and meals is provided by social service programs. Recently the Nevada Department of Education identified a need for a homeless advocacy program for homeless school children. A homeless advocate is designated to assist these children within each school district.
Most of the local community based programs in rural Nevada address the needs of the elderly and low-income families. There are virtually no local community based programs or nonprofit organizations located in rural Nevada to provide services to persons with disabilities (mental, physical, developmental). Housing facilities for elderly and frail elderly are primarily provided by HUD, Nevada Rural Housing Authority, and Rural Economic and Community Development. Frail elderly receive in-home non-medical services as an alternative to nursing home placement.
Supportive housing for physically disabled individuals in rural Nevada is primarily limited to subsidized housing. There is no 202 housing programs available, nor is there supervised or semi-supervised programs. Transitional housing for disabled persons is also virtually nonexistent. Treatment facilities for substance abuse primarily consists of evaluation and referral, outpatient treatment, counseling, day treatment, and inpatient treatment. Only three inpatient treatment facilities exist in rural Nevada. Supportive housing for persons with AIDS is very limited in rural Nevada as well. Support is limited to rental assistance; there is no transitional or other supportive housing outside of the metropolitan areas of the state.
One of the most recognizable barriers to affordable housing in rural Nevada is the lack of development standards. A survey of policy and regulatory constraints conducted in 1991 indicate most rural governments do not maintain a housing element. While not intentional, many rural local governments have prescriptive zoning laws.
The Nevada Legal Services received a HUD FHIP grant to address fair housing education, investigation and enforcement. The Nevada Legal Services is instrumental in the formation of the Greater Nevada Fair Housing Council. CDBG is funding the analysis of impediments to further fair housing, which is being conducted by the Greater Nevada Fair Housing Council.
The Nevada Health Division's Bureau of Health Protection is the agency responsible for developing programs to reduce the likelihood of childhood lead poisoning. The Health Division is in the process of initiating a "geo-target" study of children in high risk "target housing" using blood lead screening. The results of the survey will be used to determine the extent of lead exposure and identify the need for enabling legislation to implement a statewide lead abatement program. Any legislative efforts will not likely occur prior to the 1997 Legislative session.
In 1992 the Nevada Commission conducted a strategic plan - Rural 2000 - for
the enhancement of Nevada's rural communities. The most pressing community
development needs identified in Rural 2000 are infrastructure improvements,
public facilities and services, lack of economic diversity, lack of capital,
leadership development, education, lack of adequate health care, lack of a
skilled workforce, local government planning, and water issues.
The state is committed to rethinking the way it has delivered programs and services in the past. The CDBG program shall promote a more "holistic" approach, which will hopefully result in methodologies for addressing root causes of community, economic, and social problems, rather than just in the treatment of symptoms. CDBG will also promote more collaboration between agencies and a more unified delivery system.
The vision statement adopted in 1991 by the Rural Nevada Strategic Planning Team is as follows: "Rural Nevada in the year 2000 is a network of stable, healthy communities which balance the pursuit of prosperity with the protection of traditional values and rural spirit. Each community has created a profitable and diversified business climate, adaptable to change and rich in opportunities, while maintaining and preserving family pride, natural resources, and the quality of life so unique to rural Nevada. Balance has been achieved and will be maintained through selective change that is defined at the local level by communities that accept responsibility for their future."
The primary objective is to develop viable communities by providing decent housing and suitable living environments and expanding economic opportunities principally for low income persons. In 1990 there were 20,574 low- and extremely low-income households in rural Nevada. The state's priorities will be to assist the low income individuals by providing affordable housing programs, better public facilities and services, and a more diversified economy to address their employment needs.
Priority will be given to housing projects which serve low- and very-low income a) family households; b) elderly households; c) special needs groups; and d) homeless families. The targeted means for achieving this objective will be through the provision of programs involved with new housing construction, homebuyers assistance, rehabilitation of existing units, rental assistance, emergency shelters, and transitional housing.
Priority will be given to activities which will a) benefit low- and moderate-income persons; b) aid in the prevention/elimination of slums or blight; or meet an urgent community need (where no other sources of funds are available and the need is of recent origin and poses a threat to the entire community). Additionally, priority will be given to projects that address documented public health or safety issues or projects which are developed through a local/community planning process.
In 1991-1992, the rural Nevada strategic planning team effort identified nine critical issues affecting rural Nevada (community attitude/leadership, capital, education, local government/planning, lack of diversity, physical infrastructure, water, labor force, and health care/social services). CDBG shall target its resources to address the nine critical issues by a) continuing to operate the Nevada Revolving Loan fund and set- aside programs to encourage business start-up and expansion; b) encouraging more private lending activity; c) encouraging greater coordination among business proponents; d) conducting education forums to enhance/develop leadership; e) providing other training/education opportunities to establish and enhance micro- lending programs, housing rehabilitation programs, etc.; f) encouraging and providing resources to local governments to develop plans; g) and assisting with infrastructure/public facilities and services development.
The linking of supportive services and affordable housing is a critical component of a strategy that promotes economic self-sufficiency. Greater coordination among agencies must occur in order to develop a sustainable antipoverty strategy. Nevada has three objectives for the antipoverty strategy: 1) job training assistance; 2) greater coordination between state agencies and JTPA and micro-lending programs to promote self-sufficiency; and 3) continue to develop new assistance programs which seek to provide incentives for economic self-sufficiency and employment.
State agencies, including the Commission on Economic Development, the Housing Division, Welfare Division, and Health Division administer resource programs, such as: CDBG; HOME; HOPWA; ESG; Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program; Low-Income Weatherization program; low-income Tax Credit program; multi-family revenue bond program; account for low-income housing. Federal agencies: Rural Economic and Community Development (RECD) and HUD administer other housing programs. Other agencies: Rural Housing Authority; Rural Nevada Development Corporation; Community Services Agency; Citizens for Affordable Homes, Inc. help to carry out housing and economic development programs.
The Consolidated Planning process is developed and implemented through a
coordinated effort by state and local governments, non-profit groups, and other
interested parties. The CDBG program's Citizen Participation process has been
adopted by participating state agencies. Several meetings and consultations
occurred to: a) disseminate information; b) foster coordination and cooperation
among different groups; c) evaluate need and projects; and d) facilitate input
from local governments and citizens.
The Nevada Action Plan outlines the proposed use of approximately $9.7 million in CDBG, HOME, ESG, HOPWA, and DOE Energy Programs, in addition to program income. These funds will be spent on an array of activities, as follows:
All areas of the state except for the City of Las Vegas. The CDBG-Eligible areas include 16 rural counties and 11 rural incorporated cities.
Nevada's goal is to provide a variety of housing assistance to 2,135 low-income individuals.