Our History

Public Housing in this country was established by the U.S. Housing Act of 1937. The purpose of the Act was to provide homes for those of low and moderate income and to provide jobs for the unemployed. The Housing Authority of the City of Reno ("Reno Housing Authority" or "RHA"), was founded six years later, in October 1943, as a municipal corporation under Nevada Revised Statute 315. Since its founding, RHA has also been appointed as the Public Housing Authority for the City of Sparks and Washoe County.

Current Operations

RHA currently owns and manages 764 units of Public Housing (475 for families) in seven different locations in the City of Reno and Sparks under the Public Housing programs.

Neighborhood Stabilization Program 2 Grant Awarded

HUD awarded $20,995,000 to the Reno Housing Authority through a competitive grant process. There were 482 applicants from across the country, and only 56 applications were approved. RHA will use the funds to purchase up to 200 homes in certain target areas to address the foreclosure issues facing Reno, Sparks, and Washoe County. RHA will also be using $1,000,000 of its own funds to assist in this effort and has developed an innovative plan to include the private sector in the effort as well. For more information, please visit this link.

RHA is a HUD "High Performer"

The United States Department of Housing and Urban Development "HUD" has developed rating systems to measure the performance of housing authorities across the country.

Under the Public Housing Assessment System "PHAS" RHA has consistently excelled as a "high performer". Out of a possible 100 points, RHA received a score of 93 for the year ended June 30, 2007.

HUD's Real Estate Assessment Center (REAC) performs physical inspections of rental housing that is owned, insured or subsidized by HUD. RHA's most recent REAC inspections in November of 2008 received extremely high scores. Of the eight properties inspected, six received scores of 99 out of a possible 100 points, and the other two received a 98 and a 97 out of 100.

Large Public Housing Authority of the Year

In February of 2009, HUD awarded RHA the title of Large Public Housing Authority of the Year for 2008 in Nevada and Northern California. The presenter commented very favorably on the condition of RHA's properties and the dedication of its staff.