Leaders address housing affordability

Government officials, housing experts, developers and community leaders gathered on May 7 at AC Element Las Vegas at Symphony Park for the fourth annual Regional Affordable Housing Forum, hosted by the Southern Nevada Regional Housing Authority. The gathering underscored the growing urgency of Southern Nevada’s housing challenges and the need for coordinated cross-sector solutions.

Throughout the day, stakeholders from across the public and private sectors examined strategies to expand housing access, with a focus on policy, funding and development opportunities. Speakers emphasized that while new projects are underway by both private developers and government entities, the shortage of affordable housing continues to impact working families, seniors and young residents.

“We continue to face a crisis of epic proportions,” said SNRHA executive director Lewis Jordan. “Addressing this challenge requires a unified commitment to ensuring access to safe, affordable housing that supports both individual stability and the region’s long-term economic growth.”

The program featured panel discussions and presentations covering a range of topics, including policy-focused roundtables with local government leaders and a data-driven session examining housing trends and economic impacts. Analysts and officials pointed to rising costs, limited land availability and population growth as key drivers of the affordability gap while highlighting opportunities for strategic investment and regional collaboration.

Nevada State Treasurer Zach Conine and Nevada State infrastructure coordinator David Dazlichn joined local leaders in underscoring the importance of aligning state resources with federal and local housing resources to maximize housing development efforts. Clark County officials noted that significant funding commitments in recent years have already helped catalyze new projects and expand the region’s housing inventory.

Panelists also explored and applauded redevelopment efforts in historically underserved areas, including the transformation of Las Vegas’ Historic Westside. “Equitable development and community engagement must remain central to future housing efforts,” said Las Vegas City Councilperson Shondra Summers-Armstrong, representing Ward 5.

At the Forum, Ovation Development Corp., one of Southern Nevada’s largest private developers of affordable housing, which recently opened its 18th senior affordable housing community, received the ROSE Foundation Affordable Housing Advocacy in Action Award, recognizing the company’s commitment to housing access.

“Collaboration between elected representatives, developers, financial institutions and community organizations is essential to building more homes Nevadans can afford,” said U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV). “I’m grateful for SNRHA’s partnership as we work together to expand our housing supply and help more Nevadans become homeowners.”

Echoing a daylong theme highlighting the broader economic implications tied to housing demand and affordability, attendees noted that without coordinated action, housing affordability could hinder the region’s continued economic momentum. As the forum concluded, organizers and participants stressed the importance of translating conversation into action.

The event was emceed by Dr. Lawrence Weekly of the College of Southern Nevada. Sen. Cortez-Masto and U.S. Rep. Susie Lee delivered in-person remarks, and other members of the Nevada congressional delegation participated via video, reinforcing federal support for housing initiatives.

The 2026 Regional Affordable Housing Forum was made possible by several sponsors led by cornerstone sponsors, Ovation Development Corp. and Metcalf Builders. Community sponsors included YARDI, city of Las Vegas, Parker Nelson & Associates, Cobblestone and NV Energy. Foundation sponsors included AC Element Hotel, Allecca Consulting, Revival Development, KME Architects, TMO, Nevada HAND, Nevada State Bank, Kaempfer Crowell, Cherry Development, Cox, Reno Cavanaugh, AT&T, city of Henderson, Praxis Consulting Group, Clark County, Nevada GrantLab, Onda Housing Group, KB Home, Kubas & Keller Associates, Pinkbox Doughnuts and Brinshore Development.

SNRHA was established Jan. 1, 2010, for the purpose of consolidating three housing authorities: Las Vegas Housing Authority, Housing Authority of Clark County and North Las Vegas Housing Authority. The SNRHA’s Board of Commissioners is comprised of City Council members from the city of Las Vegas, city of North Las Vegas, city of Henderson, two Clark County Board Commissioners, and four SNRHA Resident Commissioners, one from each jurisdiction. The mission of the SNRHA is to provide safe, sanitary and affordable housing to eligible residents within our jurisdictions, and to provide an environment that fosters independence, self-sufficiency and community pride. For information, visit snvrha.org.