The affordable housing situation in Las Vegas has become one of the city’s most pressing challenges in 2025. As rents and home prices continue to climb faster than wages, Clark County and its nonprofit partners are racing to expand programs, launch new developments, and reduce long waiting lists for low-income residents.
Shortage of Units and Cost Burden
According to the National Low Income Housing Coalition, Nevada has only 17 affordable and available rental homes for every 100 extremely low-income renter households — one of the largest shortfalls in the nation. State data show that more than half of renters spend at least a third of their income on housing, leaving little room for savings or emergencies.
In Clark County, the affordability gap affects tens of thousands of residents, including seniors and working families, many of whom rely on voucher programs or subsidized units just to stay housed.
Income Limits and Eligibility
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) sets the 2025 income limits that determine who qualifies for affordable housing. In the Las Vegas–Henderson–North Las Vegas metro area, a single-person household earning about $21,450 meets the 30 percent AMI (area median income) threshold, while 60 percent AMI equals roughly $42,840.
The Southern Nevada Regional Housing Authority (SNRHA) confirms that its Housing Choice Voucher Program serves households earning at or below 50 percent AMI, with extremely low-income families given priority. These limits guide eligibility for Section 8 vouchers, public housing, and other affordable developments.
Wait-Lists, Vouchers, and Demand
The demand for assistance remains overwhelming. SNRHA reports that tens of thousands of applicants are waiting for openings in voucher and public-housing programs. To reflect current rent conditions, SNRHA uses payment standards equal to 110 percent of HUD’s Fair Market Rents, acknowledging the steep rise in Southern Nevada rental prices. (Source: SNRHA Payment Standards)
Local Government Action and Funding
At the state level, the Nevada Housing Division (NHD) oversees low-income housing tax credits and bond programs that finance affordable construction. Its 2025 Qualified Allocation Plan (QAP) prioritizes developments near public transportation, employment centers, and community services.
Clark County continues to invest millions in affordable housing through its Community Housing Fund, using a mix of federal HOME and Affordable & Attainable Housing Trust Fund (AAHTF) dollars. These funds support gap financing, rehabilitation, and down-payment assistance for qualified developments and buyers.
New Developments in the Pipeline
While progress has been steady, it has not kept up with demand. A recent analysis by the Nevada Current found that between 2023 and 2024, affordable units in Southern Nevada grew by just 3 percent. Clark County accounted for approximately 470 new units, many through nonprofit builder Nevada HAND, which continues to deliver senior and family housing in communities across the valley.
Projects under construction include mixed-income developments near Sloan Lane, East Fremont Street, and the southwest valley, all designed to increase access to stable housing close to services and jobs.
Grants and Support for Residents
Residents seeking affordable housing or assistance can explore several official resources:
- Southern Nevada Regional Housing Authority (SNRHA): Apply for the Housing Choice Voucher Program or sign up for wait-list alerts when they reopen. Visit snvrha.org.
- Clark County Affordable Housing List: A searchable directory of subsidized family and senior developments. Available at clarkcountynv.gov.
- Nevada Housing Division (NHD): Information on HOME loans, tax credits, and down-payment assistance through the state’s housing programs at housing.nv.gov.
- Community Housing Fund Programs: County grants supporting developers and nonprofits expanding affordable inventory in 2025–2026. See Clark County Community Housing Fund Guide.
The Outlook Ahead
Nevada remains among the hardest-hit states for affordable housing. With only 17 units available per 100 low-income renters, the gap will persist unless development accelerates and funding remains consistent.
Still, there are reasons for cautious optimism. The pipeline of tax-credit projects, trust-fund allocations, and new zoning incentives could deliver measurable progress over the next two years. For residents, the best strategy is to apply early, follow public announcements, and engage directly with housing authorities and nonprofit developers as new opportunities arise.
Verified sources: National Low Income Housing Coalition, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Southern Nevada Regional Housing Authority, Nevada Housing Division, Clark County Community Resources Management, Nevada Current, Nevada HAND.
Sources and links (verified):
• National Low Income Housing Coalition — Nevada “Gap” data: https://nlihc.org/sites/default/files/SHP_NV.pdf?utm_source=lasvegasnews.co
• HUD — HOME/Income Limits dataset: https://www.huduser.gov/portal/datasets/home-datasets.html?utm_source=lasvegasnews.co
• SNRHA — Housing Choice Voucher overview: https://www.snvrha.org/applicants/housing-choice-voucher/hcv-overview?utm_source=lasvegasnews.co
• SNRHA — HCV payment standards: https://www.snvrha.org/residents/housing-choice-voucher/hcv-rent-payments?utm_source=lasvegasnews.co
• Nevada Housing Division (NHD): https://lasvegasnews.co/affordable-housing-las-vegas-2025-grants-waitlists/
• NHD — 2025 Qualified Allocation Plan (QAP): https://housing.nv.gov/uploadedFiles/housingnewnvgov/Content/Programs/LIT/QAP/2025%20QAP%20clean%20final%20with%20rev%2001.27.2025.pdf?utm_source=lasvegasnews.co
• Clark County — Affordable Housing List: https://www.clarkcountynv.gov/residents/assistance_programs/community_resources_management/affordable-housing-list?utm_source=lasvegasnews.co
• Clark County — Community Housing Fund (HOME/AAHTF guide): https://www.clarkcountynv.gov/assets/documents/residents/community_housing_fund/2025-2026-homeaahtf-program-guide-application-instructions-final.pdf?utm_source=lasvegasnews.co
• Nevada HAND (nonprofit developer): https://nevadahand.org/?utm_source=lasvegasnews.co
• Nevada Current — 2023–24 affordable stock analysis: https://nevadacurrent.com/2025/09/18/affordable-housing-stock-declined-in-southern-nevada-last-year/?utm_source=lasvegasnews.co
Related coverage (internal):
• Clark County News hub: https://lasvegasnews.co/category/las-vegas-news/local-government/clark-county-news/
• Las Vegas News (city desk): https://lasvegasnews.co/category/las-vegas-news/
• Housing & Development tag (create if missing): https://lasvegasnews.co/tag/affordable-housing/
• Community Resources & Grants: https://lasvegasnews.co/category/community/
Las Vegas Opens $3.5M HOME Grants To Boost Affordable Housing

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