Reno City Council Approves Sale of Former Homeless Center for Affordable Housing

Reno, NV – After a series of heated debates, the Reno City Council has voted to sell the former Community Assistance Center (CAC) properties on Record Street to Ulysses Acquisition for $3.375 million. The developer plans to construct an affordable housing development on the site.

The decision comes after years of community criticism over the city’s handling of the CAC, a $20 million facility abandoned in 2023 and left to deteriorate. Despite calls to repurpose the building as an emergency shelter, water damage and vandalism rendered it “uninhabitable,” with repair costs exceeding $10 million.

Ulysses Acquisition was selected from four proposals, promising 136 affordable units for those earning 60% of the average median income, along with a childcare facility. The contract mandates a six-month demolition deadline and project completion within five years.

This tight timeline sparked concerns from Council member Jenny Brekhus, who advocated for delaying demolition until permitting and financing are secured. However, other council members supported the demolition requirement, citing security concerns and the need for swift revitalization in the surrounding neighborhood.

The sale includes a 99-year deed restriction to ensure long-term affordability. While the project marks a step towards addressing Reno’s housing crisis, it also highlights the city’s past mismanagement of a valuable community resource.

Source: This is Reno