HELP USA LAS VEGAS Reaches Out to Support Las Vegas Veterans
09:07AM on May 27 2009
HELP USA LAS VEGAS Reaches Out to Support Las Vegas Veterans
The Renaissance Apartments marks HELP USA's
fourth supportive housing site in Las Vegas
LAS VEGAS -May 20, 2009 - HELP USA announces the grand opening of its fourth supportive service housing facility in the Las Vegas valley. The Renaissance Apartments at HELP LAS VEGAS Plaza are the most advanced phase in HELP USA's continuum to provide permanent, affordable housing to homeless, veteran and low-income working families in Southern Nevada.
The gated community offers 50 efficiency, one- and two-bedroom apartments ranging from 327 to 727 square-feet. Each apartment features a full kitchen, full bathroom, central heating and air conditioning and amenities to include 24-hour live security, 24-hour property maintenance, access to a fitness center, community recreation center, computer center with Internet, laundry facility, on-site parking and an outdoor playground and picnic area.
The new apartment complex will focus on providing permanent, affordable housing for individuals and families earning less than 50 percent of the Area Median Income (AMI) with a portion of units dedicated to persons earning less than 30 percent AMI. In addition, approximately 30 percent of the apartments will be reserved for households with special needs, particularly disabled, formerly homeless war veterans, many who have already completed HELP USA's continuum of supportive housing. Rental units begin at $558 per month including utilities, and a number of government-funded grants, including section eight vouchers, are currently being accepted. The $9.7 million development, funded through Low Income Housing Tax Credits and Tax Exempt Bond Financing, was developed and constructed and will be managed by HELP USA LAS VEGAS.
"HELP USA LAS VEGAS has been making great strides in the Southern Nevada community over the past ten years," said Maria Cuomo Cole, HELP USA chairperson. "HELP USA's continuum has come full circle, providing a series of integrated housing facilities designed to help a variety of individuals, whether they are individuals coming from an emergency shelter, war veterans with special needs, or low-income working families. Our fourth housing model is a crucial component for our Las Vegas continuum and is a permanent affordable housing model for self-sufficient, working individuals and families."
In addition, HELP USA LAS VEGAS has partnered with The Art of Peter Max Gallery at the Caesars Palace Forum Shops to help raise funds for the organization. From Memorial Day through the fourth of July a portion of proceeds from the sales of Peter Max's patriotic works of art will benefit the organization.
Since its establishment in 1999, HELP USA LAS VEGAS has developed a continuum of four residential properties in the Las Vegas area with a total of 320 units, prioritizing the development of affordable housing options for homeless, low-income, working adults and special needs populations. The housing models range from short-term emergency housing, to permanent housing, creating the next step in independent living for veterans, to affordable housing for working families and households. HELP USA also works with each tenant to provide a broad spectrum of critical services to promote healthy, independent living. Services and resources include alcohol and drug dependence treatment, full medical and dental services, vocational rehabilitation assistance, comprehensive mental health services and readjustment counseling. Food and nutritional services, computer classes, job skills training, money management training and housing stability and training workshops are also offered through collaborations with community partners including the College of Southern Nevada, Nevada Health Services, Wells Fargo Bank, Seven Seas Incorporated, Desert Pine Golf Club, the Silver Nugget Casino, Amalgamated Bank and Consumer Credit.
About HELP USA
Founded in 1986, HELP USA has grown to become one of the largest builders and operators of service-enriched, transitional and low-income permanent housing in the nation. With programs in Philadelphia, Houston, Buffalo, the New York Metropolitan area, and Las Vegas, HELP USA has developed more than 2,100 units of housing across the country with 30 residential projects across the nation. For the past 20 years HELP USA has provided homes, jobs and social services for more than 200,000 men, women and children and continues to pursue opportunities to help those in need. For more information on HELP USA, please visit www.helpusa.org.
About HELP USA LAS VEGAS
HELP USA LAS VEGAS, the local affiliate of the national not-for-profit organization HELP USA, was created to oversee the housing development and property management activities in Southern Nevada. In the late 1990's, HELP was invited by the Mayor of Las Vegas to address the City's rapidly growing need for temporary housing for the homeless. Since that time, HELP has developed 4 residential properties with a total of 320 units, with 75 additional units currently in pre-development. Committed to the Las Vegas community, HELP USA LAS VEGAS has been building better lives for more than 10 years by providing affordable housing and assistance programs for individuals in need.
