Grant for homeless vets’ housing in Carson City

A $40,636 federal grant to help homeless veterans who need housing in Carson City was awarded to the Nevada Rural Housing Authority (NRHA), officials announced Wednesday.

The grant will be used to help out at the development called the Jeanell Drive Apartments on the city’s north side, a project spearheaded by FISH (Friends In Service Helping) and already approved by city government but not yet built.

The state’s rural housing authority was awarded the targeted grant through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and would combine two facets of interest to those agencies.

Rental assistance is from HUD and case management plus clinical services are from VA, according to the release that included comments from VA Secretary Robert McDonald.

He said vouchers made available today represent a vital tool in a joint effort to combine wrap-around mental health care, education and training with making sure veterans have a home.

The apartments on Jeanell Drive, about a block west of North Carson Street and north of Winnie Lane, will include a 20 percent allocation reserved for homeless veterans.

To serve the homeless folks targeted for units, an existing structure will be replaced with a two-story residence consisting of 39 one-bedroom units with a bathroom in each. There also will be a common area and other amenities for residents and staff.

The local multi-unit development is a collaborative effort of FISH, NRHA and Nevada Rural Housing, Inc.

“This residence is an example of what can happen when local, state and federal partners are brought together to meet the needs of our community,” said Gary Longaker, executive director at NRHA.