LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — Land for affordable housing projects is what local governments need, but how will neighborhoods react when that housing ends up closer than they bargained for?
President Joe Biden on Tuesday announced an effort to sell public land for $100 an acre to build affordable housing, which is about to meet “not in my backyard” sentiments.
The first plot of land targeted for affordable housing is on 20 acres in the middle of a Mountain’s Edge neighborhood in the southwest Las Vegas valley. 8 News Now has reached out to the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) for maps showing where all of the 525.5 acres identified as places for 15,000 units of affordable housing.
Biden seeks 5% cap on rent increases, announces plan for land to build Las Vegas housing
In Mountain’s Edge, backyards bordering the open land have mature trees and landscaping. More than 10 houses have backyard pools and some rooftop decks overlook the site. The paved Tenaya Paseo trail lies on the east edge of the property. A channel cuts through the property, likely requiring a small bridge from the larger of the two open areas.
The view from those rooftop decks might become an apartment complex.
No one denies the need for action to solve high prices by increasing the supply of housing in the valley. Reactions to Biden’s announcement initially focused on the president’s request that Congress pass legislation for a 5% cap on rent increases in existing rental units — a proposal that divides free-market advocates and Democratic leaders. But that won’t move forward until lawmakers can draft a law and attempt to pass it, and the general election is less than four months away.
The plan to sell public land at $100 an acre, on the other hand, is already in progress.
“While the release of federal land for subsidized housing in Las Vegas is one arrow in our quiver, significant work remains in alleviating high housing costs for the middle class and eliminating federal barriers to housing development across the state,” Gov. Joe Lombardo said. “Like many others, I’m also concerned about President Biden’s rent control proposal, which studies have repeatedly shown to inadvertently raise rental costs and lead to lower-quality housing options. My administration remains committed to delivering sustainable and practical long-term housing solutions for Nevadans.”
U.S. Rep. Dina Titus (D-Nev.), supported the plan. A segment of her statement said, “I am hopeful that by increasing the number of new homes built on public lands and by increasing the supply of existing homes we can give more Southern Nevadans the chance to live in a home they can afford. Having a roof over one’s head should be a right, not a privilege.”
The BLM, which controls 63% of Nevada’s lands, issued a request for public comment on Tuesday, seeking input on the sale of the land on Cactus Avenue. Public comment will close on Aug. 30.
BLM confirmed that the Southern Nevada Public Lands Management Act — SNPLMA — land sales are at $100 an acre for the purposes of affordable housing.
That has another effect on the Las Vegas valley, where 85% of SNPLMA revenue goes to parks. As the BLM releases tracts of land to developers, it produces a windfall to fund park projects around the valley. That money will be dramatically lower when land is sold at the discounted price.
Clark County Commissioner Justin Jones represents District F, where the 20 acres on Cactus Avenue are located. 8 News Now has reached out for comment from Jones, and this story will be updated when we have his response.
Jones is scheduled to attend at a 7 a.m. event on Wednesday morning as a traffic signal is turned on at Buffalo Drive and Cactus — just west of the property.
Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS.
