Housing the People Who Serve Nevada
Nevada’s police officers, firefighters, nurses, and teachers keep our communities running. More and more, they can’t afford to live in them.
Many are caught in the middle. They earn too much to qualify for most housing assistance, but not enough to keep up with what homes cost to buy. So, they commute long distances or take a job elsewhere.
It’s no secret Nevada is in the midst of a housing crisis. In 2025, the Governor’s Office of Economic Development reported that the state is short 123,995 housing units, impacting low- and moderate-income households the hardest. The need is most pronounced in Southern Nevada, where demand exceeds supply by at least 80,000 to 90,000 units right now.
Some estimates show the region could add another 300,000 to 400,000 residents over the next decade, which would further exacerbate the issue.
More homes needed
A fundamental fix for the shortage is more homes. Meeting the demand means opening more land for development and cutting the red tape that slows permitting. Gov. Lombardo has pushed policies on both fronts, pressing Congress to release federal land for housing and approving more than $64 million for attainable housing projects across the state.
Closing a shortage this large will also require adding homes in different ways, including homes built specifically for rent.
What the ROAD Act means for Nevada
This summer, Congress passed the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, a sweeping federal housing law. The sweeping policy includes provisions aimed at closing the gap, including shortening federal environmental reviews, paying for pre-approved designs for smaller homes, and creating a $200 million per year grant program for communities that increase their housing supply.
The law also limits who can buy existing homes. Starting January 7, 2027, investors that own or control 350 or more single-family homes can’t buy more of them. New homes built to rent are carved out, and no one is forced to sell what they already own. These were deliberate choices to boost the housing supply made in the bipartisan deal.
We ask Nevada lawmakers to let the law do its work. It will take some time for data to be collected on the impact the law is having on Nevada’s housing supply.
Keeping heroes close to home
Nevada’s housing shortage didn’t happen overnight, and it won’t be fixed overnight either. But the pieces are coming together, from Gov. Lombardo’s actions to Congress’ ROAD Act. What Nevada needs now is a steady focus on building, and the patience to see what’s working before considering any new policies.
Every new home helps, whether it’s one a family buys or one built to rent. For the firefighter commuting an hour each way, or the teacher weighing a job offer in another state, a good place to live near work can be the difference between staying and leaving. Rental homes give households who want the space and lifestyle of a single-family home another option without requiring a down payment or mortgage. Nevada needs its heroes, and accessible housing options, including rental housing, are key to keeping them here.