On Wednesday, the U.S. Census Bureau recognized the City of Reno for their partnership in the successful Nevada Census 2010 Campaign.

In addition to a plaque presentation, David A. Byerman, Chief Government Liaison for Nevada, U.S. Census Bureau, presented a final operations update to the Reno City Council. In the presentation, Byerman advised due to invaluable partnership support, the Nevada Census 2010 Campaign:
• Maximized the Count for Nevada: Benefit equals $917 per person per year in federal funding for education, healthcare, and other services.
• Built a Broad Coalition: Over 1,500 partners statewide.
• Successfully Recruited 6,200 Nevadans to Work the Census: Providing short-term stimulus and extending unemployment benefits for thousands of Nevadans.
• Realized a High Response Rate: Nevada is one of only two states in the Denver Region to equal its 2000 response rate in 2010.

On December 31, the delivery of the national census count will be given to the President of the United States. For more information about Nevada Census 2010 visit www.nevadacensus2010.com.

Today, the Reno City Council approved an agreement with the Veteran’s Guest House for $200,000 in Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) to expand housing services provided to veterans and their families seeking medical assistance at the Veterans Administration Hospital.

The funds will be used for the acquisition of property adjacent to the Guest House, renovating an existing structure and providing up to 12 additional client beds.

The Reno City Council made assisting veterans a priority in the City’s fiscal year 2010/2011 Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Action Plan.

The Veterans Guest House, a 501(c)3 organization located at the corner of Locust and Taylor Streets, was founded in 1994 as “home away from home” for U.S. military service veterans receiving medical treatment at the VA Hospital and for families of veterans who are receiving care at facilities in the Reno/Sparks area. For a number of years the Veterans Guest House desired to expand its existing facility in order to better meet the housing needs of the veterans and their families. Many of the clients served have limited financial means to meet their housing needs while receiving care and need to be close to the hospital to access treatment or assist and support their family members. The Guest House’s policy is that no qualified veteran is turned away.

The CDBG Program provides annual direct grants to communities that can be used to expand affordable housing and economic opportunities, to revitalize neighborhoods, and/or to improve community facilities and services, principally for the benefit of low to moderate income individuals.

The City of Reno receives annual CDBG allocation from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Sidewalk improvements in the Linden-Grove area, the Oliver-Montello Neighborhood Revitalization, numerous pedestrian ramps within our community, and the West Street Market are just some examples of beneficial projects that were funded with the assistance of the CDBG Program.

For more information about Reno’s CDBG Program visit www.reno.gov, select “Government”, then “City Manager’s Office”, and “Community Resources.”

The Reno City Council has accepted a $2,555 grant from the Nevada Arts Council for an art education program for senior citizens.

The funding will provide a series of artist-led workshops, which culminate in community performances by adults 55 years and older, focusing on music of the late 1920’s through the early 1940’s.

The grant will be matched by the City of Reno through a variety of in-kind sources including Parks, Recreation, and Community Service staff time, facility use, design services, and program budget. There will not be any financial impact to the City’s general fund.

To learn how the City of Reno is working to support, enhance the lives, and meet the needs of seniors in our community visit www.reno.gov, click  “Government,” then “Parks, Recreation & Community Services,” and “Senior Programs.”