West Sahara Senior Housing is our latest development of affordable senior housing, located at 8007 West Sahara Avenue, in Las Vegas, Nevada 89117. The site is set on 5 gross acres and will feature 168 one and two-bedroom apartments, configured as two and three stories, and include supportive services free to residents.
West Sahara Senior Housing applied for low-income housing tax credits (LIHTC) in May 2021 and received a reservation in June 2021 for the development of 66 units. The remaining 102 units will be funded with tax-exempt bonds.

The project also received an award of HOME/AAHTF funds from Clark County, Nevada in the amount of $528,164 to further the development of the project of the 66 units.

Architectural and engineering drawings are now being finalized and will be submitted for approval thereafter. The project will start construction about March 2022 with an 18-month schedule to completion.

In April 2021, the project received APPROVAL from Clark County Planning Commission. The development on Sahara Avenue, just west of Buffalo Drive, is located in Las Vegas’ District F, Clark County Nevada. The planning staff recommended approval for a non-conforming zone change from C1 Commercial to R4 Residential to accommodate the senior apartment development. It was unanimously approved by the planning commissioners, as they recognize the value of the project and the need for more affordable housing in our Las Vegas Valley. Later in the month, the project received unanimous APPROVAL from the Board of County Commissioners (BCC).

Gekakis and the team worked with the County’s Comprehensive Planning, with the Spring Valley Town Board, and with the local residents to develop a project that will be not only aesthetically pleasing but be a compatible fit for the neighborhood.

The BCC recognizes the need for more affordable housing, especially for seniors, as the population ages, and National Low Income Housing Coalition confirms statistics showing that there is a tremendous shortage of affordable and available rental homes for extremely low-income households. In fact, the shortage is –84,320 units of affordability!

Construction began on the apartments at Decatur Blvd. and Alta Drive, now named Decatur Commons, in December 2020. This is a joint venture project between George Gekakis, Inc. and Nevada HAND, this development is located at the corner of Decatur Boulevard and Alta Drive in Ward 3 of the City of Las Vegas. A 20-acre parcel, project will feature The project feature a total of 480 units, including:

• 60 units of senior housing financed with 9% tax credits, the building configured with a 16,000 sf retail component with restaurant pads and a major hotel chain.
• 180 units of senior housing financed with tax-exempt bonds, and
• 240 units of family housing.
• The retail component will have two out-pads for restaurants.

This Opportunity Zone development will be the first of its kind for the state.
The project went before City of Las Vegas in May 2020 for Site Development Review, and received approval. Architectural plans are were finalized and submitted to the City of Las Vegas for review and received approval.

A joint venture between George Gekakis, Inc. and Nevada HAND, this development is located at the corner of Decatur Boulevard and Alta Drive in Ward 3 of the City of Las Vegas. A 20-acre parcel, the project will feature The project feature a total of 480 units, including:

• 60 units of senior housing financed with 9% tax credits, the building configured with a 16,000 sf retail component with restaurant pads and major hotel chain.
• 180 units of senior housing financed with tax exempt bonds, and
• 240 units of family housing.
• The retail component will have two outpads for restaurants.

This Opportunity Zone development will be the first of its kind for the state.
The project went before City of Las Vegas in May 2020 for Site Development Review, and received approval. Architectural plans are being finalized, and all drawings will soon be submitted to the City of Las Vegas for review and approval.

Desert Oasis was built in 1997 by George Gekakis, Inc, a development of 75 units of senior housing in Las Vegas, funded with HUD 202 funds.

In 2018, Volunteers of America (VOA) approached George Gekakis to assist in the building of a new phase of 43 units on the original site. The project received an allocation of tax credits, as well as HOME Funds from the City of Las Vegas and from Clark County Nevada, as well as the approval from HUD to go ahead with the release of property within the original site (approximately 1.35 acres) to begin the second phase of this successful senior housing development.

Similar in design to the original building, there will be 43 new units in a two-story building, designed by the original project architect, SBG Architects. The development will include a recreation area with a fitness room, media/library, business office, laundry room, computer room, health room, and supportive services. Residents will also be able to enjoy the amenities of the original development. 

With the lack of affordable housing is so critical across the Nation, these units will be a great addition to the already established locations, with services within walking distance. Directly across the street, there is a shopping center with grocery shopping, retail, medical, banking, and public transportation. A house of worship is directly adjacent to the site, as well as a public bike/walking path. The site is in a mature, well-developed area that ensures that both minority and non-minority elderly will be comfortable in the neighborhood and be able to age in place.

Construction is scheduled to begin approximately Summer 2021.

At all our properties, residents and staff are following Nevada Governor Sisolak’s guidelines with preventative procedures in place. Weekly memos are being distributed with updates for health and safety, rental assistance, unemployment benefits, and food resources.

Signage is posted all around the properties regarding proper handwashing and how to wear Personal Protective Equipment. Staff and residents all wear masks. Visitors are instructed to wear masks or are barred entrance to the communities. Drop boxes for rent have been implemented, and properties are disinfected daily. Coordinated by Silver State Housing (SSH), residents at all our properties have been offered the opportunity to be tested for the coronavirus on a voluntary basis, by signing up for the testing.

Unfortunately, at this time, all of our community clubhouses have remained closed, and where and when possible, non-perishable groceries have been taken to residents who sign up, and the articles are left at their doors.