Addressing Nevada's Housing Crisis: Reno's Path Forward

Facing one of the most severe housing shortages in America, Reno’s Mayor, Hillary Schieve, proposes a strategy centered on relaxing construction regulations to tackle the problem.

Mayor Schieve has been proactive, employing a comprehensive plan to streamline governance and enhance housing availability.

She emphasized the importance of reducing governmental interference, stating, 'Government sometimes impedes progress,' in an interview with Business Insider. With no quick solution at hand, she focuses on prioritizing housing and homelessness in her agenda, despite not aligning with any major political party.

Economic and Housing Context in Nevada

As elections loom, Nevada's economy remains a primary concern for voters, particularly due to sharp increases in housing prices and rental costs. Since 2017, Nevada has seen a 90% rise in home prices and a 53% increase in rents, significantly surpassing national trends, as highlighted by Pew's housing policy director, Alex Horowitz.

Strategies for Housing Development

Post the 2008 financial turmoil, Nevada’s economy, heavily reliant on tourism, faced high foreclosure rates. Leveraging low taxes attracted companies like Amazon and Tesla, contributing to population growth.

The pandemic-induced shift towards remote work further escalated housing demand, pushing costs in Reno where single-family home prices have surged by over 40% since 2019.

Mayor Schieve’s Initiatives

While appreciative of economic and cultural growth, Mayor Schieve actively addresses affordable housing challenges by cutting bureaucratic red tape, easing zoning laws, and mitigating stringent environmental regulations.

Reno has initiated policies like permitting higher density constructions, reducing parking prerequisites, and decreasing fees. Remarkably, the city waived substantial amounts in sewer and building permit fees, encouraging the development of over 2,000 affordable housing units since 2019.

Through the '1,000 homes in 120 days' scheme, Reno deferred construction-related fees, leading to the addition of over 500 homes in a short span.

Challenges in Regulatory Environment

Despite relatively lenient city regulations, Schieve points to county and state rules that obstruct construction due to lengthy review processes. She criticizes these delays, noting that time equates to increased costs, especially for projects like swimming pool construction which are notorious for being time and cost-intensive.

Progress and National Attention

Reno has made strides in emergency housing, notably reducing homelessness by nearly 60% with the construction of Nevada Cares Campus, a 600-capacity emergency shelter.

Political Focus on Housing Policies

Housing has emerged as a focal issue in the presidential race. President Biden's visits and supportive policies have positively impacted Nevada’s housing strategies, with significant aid received through the 2021 American Rescue Plan.

In contrast, former President Trump’s campaign proposes immigration deportations to release housing, a solution Schieve deems ineffective.

Federal Land Utilization Debate

Opening federal lands for housing is discussed among political leaders, acknowledging Nevada's unique status with a majority federally-owned land. Schieve acknowledges the complexity, considering infrastructure costs and environmental impacts, advocating for urban revitalization and denser development rather than expansion into vulnerable areas.