Get Your Free Guide to Reno Housing Authority Programs

What the Reno Housing Authority Offers

The Reno Housing Authority (RHA) manages several housing programs designed to serve low- and moderate-income residents in the Reno area. Understanding what programs exist is the first step toward learning whether any might work for your housing situation. The RHA administers public housing properties, rental assistance programs, and supportive services that help people find and maintain stable housing.

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The Authority operates multiple residential communities throughout Reno and Sparks, providing homes to families, seniors, and individuals with disabilities. These properties range from traditional apartment complexes to specialized communities designed for specific populations. Each community has its own characteristics, location, and services available to residents.

Beyond housing units themselves, the RHA coordinates programs that help people pay rent in the private market. These voucher-based programs work differently than public housing—residents use assistance to rent from private landlords rather than living in Authority-owned buildings. This gives people more choice in where they live while still receiving support with housing costs.

The Authority also connects residents with social services, job training, and financial coaching. These supportive programs recognize that stable housing alone isn't always enough; many people benefit from additional resources like employment assistance or budgeting guidance.

Takeaway: The RHA operates through multiple programs rather than a single service. Each program works differently and serves different housing needs. Learning about program types helps you understand which one might relate to your circumstances.

Public Housing: How It Works and What to Know

Public housing managed by the Reno Housing Authority provides rental homes owned and operated by the Authority itself. Rent in public housing is calculated based on your household income, typically ranging from 28% to 32% of your monthly gross income. This income-based rent formula means your payment adjusts if your income changes, rather than being a fixed amount like rent in the private market.

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RHA public housing includes family apartments, senior communities, and properties designed for people with disabilities. The physical condition and amenities vary by property. Some communities feature modern renovations while others are older but well-maintained. Properties are located throughout Reno and Sparks, in neighborhoods ranging from downtown locations to more suburban areas. The Authority maintains these properties and is responsible for repairs and upkeep.

Residents in RHA public housing pay for utilities in some properties but not others, depending on how each community is set up. This is an important detail because it affects your total housing cost. Some properties include water and trash in the rent while others require separate utility payments. Understanding your specific community's utility structure helps with budgeting.

Public housing has occupancy rules and lease requirements. The Authority has policies about who can live in the unit, guest policies, and expectations about property upkeep. Leases typically last one year and can be renewed. The Authority can terminate a lease for lease violations, criminal activity, or non-payment of rent.

According to data from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, public housing serves approximately 2 million residents nationwide, with properties like RHA's serving as essential resources for low-income households. In Reno specifically, public housing provides homes for hundreds of families and individuals.

Takeaway: Public housing rent is based on your income, making it potentially more affordable than market-rate apartments. Learn about specific properties and their utilities, neighborhoods, and unit types to understand what public housing options exist in Reno.

Housing Choice Vouchers and Rental Assistance Programs

Housing Choice Vouchers represent a different approach to housing assistance compared to public housing. With a voucher, you find a rental unit in the private market—any apartment, house, or other rental property—and the Authority pays a portion of your rent directly to the landlord. You pay the remaining portion based on your income.

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The voucher amount, called the "payment standard," varies by bedroom size and neighborhood. For example, a two-bedroom payment standard in Reno is set at a specific amount that reflects local rental market rates. If you find a unit renting for less than the payment standard, you pay less; if it rents for more, you pay the difference out of pocket. This means vouchers work best when you find reasonably priced housing.

The Housing Choice Voucher program has existed nationwide since the 1970s and has helped millions of families move out of poverty-concentrated neighborhoods and into communities of their choice. In the Reno area, hundreds of households use vouchers to rent privately owned apartments and homes. The program gives people significantly more housing choices than public housing alone provides, since the entire private market becomes an option rather than just Authority-owned buildings.

Other rental assistance programs administered by RHA include rapid rehousing for people experiencing homelessness, emergency assistance for households facing eviction or utility shutoffs, and ongoing rental subsidies for persons with disabilities. Each program has different purposes and serves different situations.

The process of using a voucher involves finding a landlord willing to participate, having the unit inspected by the Authority to meet housing quality standards, and signing a lease. The Authority then pays its portion directly to the landlord each month. This protects both you and the landlord by formalizing the payment arrangement.

Takeaway: Voucher programs expand your housing options by letting you choose where to rent in the private market. Understanding how payment standards work and the requirement that units pass inspection helps you search effectively for housing that meets both your needs and program requirements.

Services Beyond Housing: Job Training and Support Programs

The Reno Housing Authority recognizes that stable housing works best when paired with other support. The Authority connects residents with job training, financial coaching, youth programs, and community services. These wraparound services address the broader factors that help people maintain housing long-term.

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Job training and employment services help residents increase earning power. The Authority partners with local employers and workforce development programs to offer job readiness training, skills classes, and employment placement assistance. For residents receiving housing assistance based on lower income, increasing employment income can lead to greater financial stability and independence from housing subsidies.

Financial coaching and budgeting assistance help households manage money more effectively. Coaches work with residents to create budgets, build emergency savings, improve credit, and plan for long-term financial goals. Research shows that residents who receive financial coaching are more likely to maintain their housing and improve their economic situation.

Youth programs serve children and teenagers living in RHA housing. These programs may include after-school activities, tutoring, mentorship, and college preparation support. Stable housing is foundational for youth academic success, and these programs build on that foundation by providing additional educational and developmental opportunities.

The Authority also helps residents navigate access to other community services, including healthcare, mental health treatment, childcare, and benefits programs. Case managers can explain how different services work and connect people with providers in the community.

Many of these services are offered at community centers located within or near RHA properties. This makes them accessible to residents without requiring transportation to distant locations. Some services are specifically for RHA residents while others are available to the broader community.

Takeaway: Housing assistance works alongside supportive services. Learning what job training, financial coaching, and youth programs the Authority offers helps you understand the full range of resources available to residents, not just housing itself.

Understanding Income Limits and How They Work

RHA programs serve households with income below certain thresholds set based on the area median income (AMI) for the Reno region. These thresholds are not absolute cutoffs but rather guidelines that determine which programs you might learn about. Income limits are calculated annually and adjusted based on family size and composition.

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For example, in recent years the income limit for a family of four to learn about many RHA programs has been approximately 50% to 80% of the area median income, depending on the specific program. The Reno area median income for a family of four is currently around $95,000 to $105,000, making the income limit for some programs approximately $47,500 to $84,000. These figures change annually and vary by family size.

Income is calculated as gross monthly or annual earnings from employment, plus income from other sources like Social Security, unemployment benefits, child support, disability payments, and other regular income. The Authority counts most sources of income to determine the total household income figure.

It's important to understand that income limits serve as general parameters for program design, not as rigid gatekeeping tools. Different programs within the RHA system have different income considerations. Some programs focus