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 $26,000 contract with Northern Nevada Center for Independent Living (NNCIL) will provide for accessibility improvements to homes of Reno residents. The funding is through Community Block Grants (CDBG).

NNCIL provides comprehensive services to the area’s disabled population. Each year since 1985 the City has provided CDBG funds to NNCIL for accessibility modifications. Under last fiscal year’s contract, NNCIL installed improvements such as ramps, grab bars, threshold ramps, porch lifts, handheld showers, ADA toilets, and widened doors. Additionally, they provided 272 individuals and businesses with technical assistance with ADA compliance.

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.”

To honor this anniversay and to urge all citizens to join the City of Reno in recognizing Silver State Fair Housing Council and its importance in our community, Mayor Cashell proclaimed April 2010 as Fair Housing Month.

Silver State Fair Housing Council is a non-profit agency working since 1989 to ensure equal housing opportunity for all people in Nevada. For more information about the Silver State Fair Housing Council visit www.silverstatefairhousing.org.

The City of Reno supports the efforts of the Silver State Fair Housing Council and all other agencies pursuing fair housing.

To learn more about how the City of Reno is working to provide decent affordable housing, developing suitable living environments, and creating expanded economic opportunities for the community visit www.reno.gov, click “I Want to Learn About” then “Housing” or www.reno.gov/Index.aspx?page=696.

MakingHomeAffordable.gov is hosting the event on Tuesday, April 6, 2010 from 1:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Reno Sparks Convention Center, 4590 S. Virginia Street.

Mortgage lenders and Housing and Urban Development (HUD) approved housing counselors will be available to meet one-on-one with residents.

The event is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Treasury, U.S Department of Housing and Urban Development, NeighborWorks America, and Hope Now. For more information visit www.MakingHomeAffordable.gov or call 1-888-995-HOPE (4673).

Here is the event flyer for more information too.

Residents can help by completing an easy survey about their housing and neighborhood improvement needs. The survey does not ask for names or addresses. The survey must be completed by March 31, 2010 and can be taken by visiting www.reno.gov under “Quick Links” then “Housing Survey.”

The survey is part of an overall planning process for housing and community development needs that the City of Reno is in the process of conducting. The plan is required in order for the City to obtain annual allocation of federal housing and community development funding.

Last year the City received more than $3.8 million in HUD funding that improved our community by supporting social services, neighborhood revitalization projects, accessibility improvements (i.e. pedestrian ramps and housing modifications for disabled individuals), and a rehabilitation program for homeowners.