Nevada Rural Housing Authority’s Senior Residence Fills Big Void in Short Order—100 Percent Occupied within Six Months

By Terri Hendry, Contributing Writer

Winnemucca, Nev.—The Nevada Rural Housing Authority’s (NRHA) Larios Arms Senior Residence in Winnemucca, Nev., is 100 percent occupied within six months of opening. The 30-unit affordable housing community for senior citizens project is located in eastern Nevada. Leasing began May 21, 2012. The last unit was leased November 21, 2012.

The Nevada Rural Housing Authority partnered with Praxis Consulting Group to provide project development consulting and assist in assembling construction financing by utilizing 9 percent Low Income Housing Tax Credits, State of Nevada HOME funds, an AHP grant from the Federal Home Loan Bank, conventional construction and permanent debt.

The development not only addresses a significant need for affordable senior housing in rural Winnemucca, but also provides convenience by placing the development near senior-oriented services.

“We were careful to create a campus. Our residents enjoy a community room, library, media center and outdoor barbeques,” Gary Longaker, NRHA executive director, says. “It is adjacent to the Pleasant Senior Center and another senior housing complex, Winnemucca Manor. It’s also near Humboldt General Hospital, Medical Centers and drug stores. It’s close to everything a senior would want or need. But there is also easy access to public transportation should the need arise.”

The community features one– and two-bedroom floor plans. Even though the community is a three-story building, each apartment has front-door access through an elevator. There are private balconies or porches in each apartment and cable TV hook-ups in the living room and bedrooms, as well as standard size washer/dryer hook-ups. For those without a washer or dryer, there is a community laundry room.

There are also energy savings features in each apartment, such as Energy Star rated appliances and tankless water heaters. “These features save energy and save our residents money. It is the wave of the future,” Longaker says. The units also contain gas forced air heaters, as well as central air conditioning.

Additionally, small pets are allowed at Larios Arms Senior Residence.

“About half our residents have a pet and this has been a very popular feature,” Yvonne Sonday, Larios Arms property manager, says. “About half our residents are from Winnemucca. The other half is from outside of the state as their children who live in the Winnemucca area brought them here to keep an eye on them because Larios Arms is so modern and convenient.”

Longaker agrees.

“What is going on in Winnemucca is what is going on across the country,” he says. “Many seniors want to live near their children and grandchildren. The Nevada Rural Housing Authority remains committed to making that possible.”