20/20 Plumbing & Heating, Inc. Supports Nevada HAND’s Rent Freeze With Cash Donation

On August 16, 20201, Nevada HAND, a builder/developer/manager of affordable apartment housing with on-site support services in Las Vegas, announced that it would be freezing rents on units at all of its properties across the valley to offset the rising cost of living.

According to CEO Audra Hamernik, “This wasn’t the easiest decision, but for the sake of our residents and the community we think it’s the right decision. And we’ve made this due to the state of the economy, the current cost of living and the ongoing pandemic. But what that means is that each and every resident that we serve in our independent living communities will not have their rent increase this year.”

To fund the freeze, Nevada HAND is mounting the largest fundraising campaign of its 28-year history, with a goal of raising $2.5 million in donations. 

20/20 Plumbing & Heating, Inc., a longtime partner with Nevada HAND in building affordable housing, donated $5,000 to the cause. 20/20 was one of four subcontracting companies invited to speak at the August 16th fundraising event hosted at Decatur Commons on Alta and Decatur drives.

Currently under construction, Decatur Commons is slated for completion in early 2022. 20/20 is the designated plumber for this project. Already, Nevada HAND has a list of 2,200 people who are interested in residency at the four-story, 480-unit affordable apartment community that will offer 240 units for low-income families and 240 units for low-income seniors — demonstrating the need for services.  

In July, the Nevada State Apartment Association reported that rent has increased 18 percent compared with rent at this time last year. While rent in the metro area averaged $1,591 in June, the average monthly lease at one of Nevada HAND’s 34 family housing and assisted living communities is only $733.

Nevada HAND uses area median income and a renter’s ability to pay to determine rental prices, and increases are typically between $10 and $45 when a lease is renewed. In 2020, the organization waived late fees and froze rents due to the pandemic. In 2019, the average rent savings from market-rate apartments that Nevada HAND put back into the local economy totaled $25 million.

Nevada HAND operates on the premise that having a stable, affordable home is critical to nearly every aspect of an individual’s life, the overall health of a community and economic opportunity. It is the state’s largest 501(c)(3) nonprofit developer, builder and manager of affordable rental homes for seniors and working families. Resident services teams are present in each community to help connect residents to critical resources that help them thrive, reach their goals, and support themselves and their families. So far, Nevada HAND has created homes and communities for more than 7,900 people in Southern Nevada.

Nevada HAND was a 3-time “Best of Las Vegas” award winner in 2020, taking a gold award for Best Senior Community and silver awards for Best Nonprofit Organization and Best Active/Adult 55+ Community.

To help support this and other Nevada HAND initiatives, visit: https://nevadahand.org/support-us/

We at 20/20 Plumbing & Heating, Inc. believe we work best by working together. We are proud to be a trade partner with Nevada HAND, and we look forward to supporting the organization long into the future!

See the work we’re doing in communities across California and Nevada at: https://2020ph.com/