Dayton low-income housing project celebrates opening

Milinda McGee, 66, of Virginia City waited almost four years to get into her own apartment after living with her daughter and grandkids. She couldn’t hold back the tears as she celebrated her first month in Dayton’s new Gold Country Manor Apartments on Aug. 29.

“When COVID hit, I lived in Virginia City and my landlord sold the house and I was forced to come here to Dayton, and when I found out about the housing, I immediately signed up, and I was like the 10th person on the list,” she said. “I’m just overwhelmed to be here.”

Community development organization Chicanos Por La Causa, based in Las Vegas, has completed its 50-unit Gold Country complex at 20 Retail Road in Dayton. Eddie Hult, development director for CPLC, told the Appeal the low-income project is funded through federal and state dollars and is marketed toward families and seniors with its one- and two-bedroom units. Rental rates are 30 to 60 percent of market value.

Gold Country Manor is built on approximately three acres. Tenants have access to modern amenities, smart energy, Wi-Fi, a dog park, playground and a security system. The complex is already at 98% capacity, Hult said.

Rolling Rock, LLC, Precision and Weststates Property Management helped with the project, which broke ground in November 2021. It was expected to be done the following year but experienced delays due to COVID-19 and construction challenges. Hult said the project was about eight months late.

“It took some patience, but it’s there,” he said.

In a brief ceremony Aug. 29, Ashley Nuñez, CPLC’s first female president and CEO, said housing is inaccessible for many seniors or residents due to rising costs. She thanked Nevada administrators for the progress on the complex in Dayton.

“We all need a safe home where we can sleep, eat,” she said “Once family establishes roots, they can improve their health, wellbeing and personal finance growth. So CPLC looks at the wholistic approach of the individual and making sure they’re ready to move on to different stages of growth, whether it’s buying a house, running a business, getting an education.”

Las Vegas resident Brenda Ray waited for about a year to join her family and relocate to Dayton once Gold Country Manor Apartments was complete. She said she was satisfied to be living in one of the one-bedroom units where she has a kitchen, rolling shower and access to the shopping center across the street.

“I’m in walking distance because I don’t have a car, I can’t afford a car,” she said. “My daughter takes me when I have to go places.”

The complex helps keep her utilities payment low at about $45 a month, which she enjoys, and she loves how friendly the Dayton and Carson City communities are.

Nevada State Housing Administrator Steve Aichroth thanked Hult, the CPLC and construction workers for their perseverance to bring the project to fruition.

Dayton Chamber of Commerce President John Cassinelli said efforts like Gold Country Manor often keep seniors from making the hard choice of paying for their next meal or rent.

“It’s not just building buildings, it’s building a foundation for some of these folks that they can improve their lives, and it gives them an opportunity to be members of our community,” Cassinelli said.