Southern Nevada Regional Housing Authority Breaks Ground on New Affordable Housing Development: Senator Joseph M. Neal, Jr. Apartments

North Las Vegas, Nev. (July 31, 2025) --- Today, the Southern Nevada Regional Housing Authority (SNRHA) broke ground on its newest affordable housing development in Southern Nevada: Senator Joseph M. Neal, Jr. Apartments, located at 1632 Yale Street, North Las Vegas, 89030. The groundbreaking ceremony was co-hosted by SNRHA and project developer McCormack Baron Salazar.

The new apartment community is named for Sen. Joseph M. Neal, Jr., a former Nevada state senator who served from 1973 to 2002 as the Silver State’s first African American to be elected to the Nevada Senate. He was inducted into the Nevada Senate Hall of Fame in 2005 and recognized for his 32 years of service that included 15 regular and three special sessions of the Nevada State legislature.

The Senator Joseph M. Neal, Jr. Apartments sit on 5.8 acres and will include 192 affordable housing units with a senior leasing preference to those over age 55 with incomes from 30 to 60 percent of Affordable Median Income (AMI). The apartments are housed in a single four-story building and range in size from 713 to 960 square feet, offering from one to two bedrooms. All apartments include a balcony.

The community will offer a robust list of amenities, including a multi-purpose room, classrooms, fitness center, central courtyard with passive and active recreational areas with cooling features and landscaped areas – all designed to offer a full lifestyle.

Funding for the new development is comprised of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds administered by the Nevada Housing Division (NHD) Home Means Nevada Initiative (HMNI) as well as NHD Growing Affordable Housing Program (GAHP) Funds, Clark County Community Housing Funds and HOME Funds, City of North Las Vegas HOME Funds, AHP Nevada Targeted Funds from Wells Fargo awarded from the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco (FHLBSF), SNRHA Capital  Funds, NHD tax-exempt bonds and 4% tax credits, a Construction Loan from Western Alliance Bank placed with Merchants Bank and equity from the sale of tax credits from Merchants Capital.

The project is slated for completion by summer 2027. Perlman Architects and Westwood Engineering are the architects of record for the project, and the general contractor is Rafael Construction.

According to Clark County Commission Chair Tick Segerblom who also serves as chair of the SNRHA Board, the Senator Joseph M. Neal, Jr. Apartment project is the latest of several affordable housing communities recently brought to fruition by the SNRHA. “In the last few months, alone, the agency has begun development of three additional affordable housing communities that will help to address our region’s shortage of affordable housing, particularly for low-income seniors,” he said. “While we pause to celebrate this latest addition, we know there is more work to do to be done. As chair of the Southern Nevada Regional Housing Authority, I am committed to continuing to work alongside the hard-working staff at the agency to ensure we are positioned to continue addressing this critical issue for so many Southern Nevadans.”

According to City of North Las Vegas Mayor Pamela Goynes-Brown, affordable housing continues to be one of the area’s most pressing needs. “We know that projects like the Senator Joseph M. Neal, Jr. Apartments are transformational for residents, allowing them to live in comfort, dignity and safety,” said Mayor Goynes-Brown. “At the City of North Las Vegas, we applaud the efforts of the Southern Nevada Regional Housing Authority and are pleased to join the agency in marking yet another quality affordable housing development that will serve low-income residents and seniors, while simultaneously honoring the incredible legacy and lasting impact of Senator Joseph M. Neal, Jr.”

“My father would be both honored and proud of this new affordable housing community that bears his name,” said Nevada State Senator Dina Neal (District 4), who spoke briefly at today’s groundbreaking on behalf of her family. “This honor is a wonderful capstone to my father’s remarkable legacy of service to Nevada and his constituents,” she said. “A man of principle and integrity who fought tirelessly to do what was right and in the best interest of Nevada, my father’s influence continues today. My family and I are grateful for the work of the Southern Nevada Regional Housing Authority to ensure the unhoused in our community have a safe and dignified place to lay their heads at night. We are humbled and honored to be associated with this new affordable housing community that will be transformational for those who will soon call it home.”

“Today’s groundbreaking is about more than new construction—it’s about building a legacy of hope, dignity, and opportunity for North Las Vegas,” said Vincent Bennett, President & CEO, McCormack Baron Salazar. “The Senator Joseph M. Neal, Jr. Apartments will stand as a symbol of what’s possible when public and private partners come together to invest in resilient and affordable housing. At McCormack Baron Salazar, we are thrilled to help create not just affordable housing, but a vibrant community where seniors can continue to thrive.”

The ceremony, hosted by SNRHA Executive Director Lewis Jordan, was also attended by U.S. Representative Steven Horsford representing Nevada’s 4^th District; U.S. Representative Dina Titus representing Nevada’s 1^st District; Nancy Brune, City of Las Vegas Councilwoman, Ward 6 and Vice-Chair, SNRHA Board; Clark County Commissioner William McCurdy II, District D; Sonny Vinuya, Outreach Director, State of Nevada; City of North Las Vegas Councilwoman Ruth Garcia-Anderson, Ward 2; and City of North Las Vegas Councilman Richard Cherchio, Ward 4.

“The mission of the Southern Nevada Regional Housing Authority is to provide safe and affordable housing that fosters independence, self-sufficiency, and community pride,” said Jordan. “We know that there is no better way to accomplish this than by providing comfortable, safe, dignified and affordable housing. The confluence of federal, state and county funding is critical to make these projects a reality. We are tireless in our ongoing commitment to bring as many affordable housing projects to fruition as funding will allow.”

About Southern Nevada Regional Housing Authority:

The Southern Nevada Regional Housing Authority (SNRHA) was established on January 1, 2010, for the purpose of consolidating three housing authorities: Las Vegas Housing Authority, Housing Authority of Clark County, North Las Vegas Housing Authority.  The SNRHA’s Board of Commissioners is comprised of City Council members from the City of Las Vegas, City of North Las Vegas, City of Henderson, two (2) Clark County Board Commissioners, and four (4) SNRHA Resident Commissioners, one from each jurisdiction. The mission of the SNRHA is to provide safe, sanitary and affordable housing to eligible residents within our jurisdictions, and to provide an environment that fosters independence, self-sufficiency and community pride. For information, visit snvrha.org

About McCormack Baron Salazar:
For over 50 years, MBS has worked in partnership with cities across the country to create housing options, redevelop neighborhoods, and prioritize the well-being of current and future residents. The core strategy of MBS is to build high-quality housing that serves as a platform to support and stabilize communities.