Written & Reviewed by
Last updated: 27 September 2026
Nevada seniors can find income-based and income-restricted apartments through several separate systems. The right starting point depends on where you live, what kind of rent help you need, and whether a waiting list is open.
Bottom Line
Nevada does not have one application for every low-income senior apartment. Start with NVHousingSearch, then check the housing authority or property that serves your area. Clark County, Washoe County, and the rest of Nevada use different housing routes.
Also ask one key question before applying: Is the rent based on my income, or is the apartment only income-restricted? Those two arrangements can produce very different monthly costs.
If You May Lose Housing Soon
This guide is for longer-term apartment searches. If you are homeless, facing eviction, or may lose housing soon, call 2-1-1 or use Nevada housing help. You can also use our Nevada emergency guide for faster crisis routes.
Start Here
- Search statewide listings first, then call the property directly.
- Check the correct regional housing authority for voucher, public housing, and project-based lists.
- Apply to more than one suitable list when the rules allow it. One application rarely covers every program.
| Location or need | Start here | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Anywhere in Nevada | NVHousingSearch | Search by county, rent, senior housing, accessibility, and voucher acceptance. Free search help is available at 1-877-428-8844. |
| Clark County | SNRHA applicant page | Check Housing Choice Voucher, public housing, affordable housing, and RAD/Project-Based Voucher options separately. |
| Washoe County | Reno applicant page | Review current public housing and site-based openings. The Housing Choice Voucher list is currently closed. |
| Outside Clark and Washoe | Nevada Rural Housing | Check Housing Choice Voucher eligibility and property-specific Project-Based Voucher notices. |
| Senior-only HUD property | HUD property search | Look for Section 202 and other HUD-assisted multifamily properties, then contact management directly. |
| Rural apartment | USDA rental search | Search Nevada rural properties and ask whether rental assistance is attached to the unit. |
What Has Changed
- Rural Nevada: Nevada Rural Housing announced that four Project-Based Voucher wait lists will open on September 14, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. and remain open until further notice unless a later notice changes them. The notice includes Southgate II in Carson City for households with an elderly member age 62 or older or a person with a disability, Larios Arms II in Winnemucca for households meeting its 55+ rule, plus Mountain View Village and Pioche Apartments. Check the current PBV notice before applying.
- Washoe County: As of September 13, Reno Housing Authority says its public housing and several project-based lists are open, including Pilgrims Rest for people age 62 and older. Its Housing Choice Voucher list remains closed. Use the Reno applicant page for the live list.
- Service-area correction: Nevada Rural Housing’s current Housing Choice Voucher page says its voucher program serves Nevada counties except Clark and Washoe. Clark County applicants should use SNRHA, and Washoe County applicants should use Reno Housing Authority.
Income-Based Rent vs. Income-Restricted Rent
This distinction matters more than the words “affordable” or “senior” in a listing. Our national income-based apartment guide explains the larger system, but Nevada properties can use several different funding sources at once.
| Rent type | How it works | What to ask |
|---|---|---|
| Income-based | Your tenant payment is calculated from household income under program rules. Adjusted income, deductions, utilities, and local rules can affect the final amount. | “What will my tenant portion be, and which utilities do I pay?” |
| Income-restricted | Your income must fit the unit’s limit, but the rent is set for that unit. It may not fall when your income falls. | “Is this rent fixed for the unit, or tied to my income?” |
| Mixed property | One building can contain several unit types. One unit may have rental assistance while another only has a restricted rent. | “Does this exact unit have a subsidy?” |
Income limits change by county, household size, and program. HUD publishes official income limits, but the housing authority or property makes the actual eligibility decision.
Official Apartment Search Tools
NVHousingSearch
NVHousingSearch is Nevada’s statewide rental-search service. It includes affordable, supportive, senior, accessible, and voucher-friendly listings. The service says listings are updated regularly, but a listing is still not proof that a unit or wait list is open. Call the property.
HUD property searches
HUD’s multifamily search can help you find properties with Section 202, Section 811, and other project-based HUD assistance. It does not include every public housing, Housing Choice Voucher, or Project-Based Voucher property. That is why the regional housing authority still matters.
USDA rural housing
USDA Rural Development finances apartments in eligible rural communities. Search by Nevada county, then ask the property whether rental assistance is attached to a unit. USDA rental assistance is not automatically available to every tenant or every unit.
Apartment Programs Nevada Seniors Should Know
Section 202 Supportive Housing
What it helps with: Section 202 supports affordable housing for very-low-income older adults. HUD says at least one adult household member must be age 62 or older, and the household must generally be below 50% of area median income. Residents are typically charged about 30% of adjusted income for rent.
Where to apply: Find a property and contact its owner or manager directly. HUD explains the current Section 202 rules.
Reality check: Section 202 is housing, not assisted living. Properties can have long waits and different unit or occupancy rules. Keep other applications active.
Public Housing
What it helps with: Public housing provides income-based rental housing owned or managed by a public housing authority. Rent and eligibility depend on income, household size, deductions, and agency rules.
Where to apply: Clark County applicants should use SNRHA’s public housing page. Washoe County applicants should use Reno Housing Authority.
Reality check: A housing authority can have separate lists by property, bedroom size, or program. Applying to one list may not place you on the others.
Housing Choice Vouchers
What it helps with: A Housing Choice Voucher, often called Section 8, helps an eligible household pay rent in an approved private rental. The voucher is usually tenant-based, so you still need to find a unit and landlord that can complete the program process.
Where to apply: In Clark County, follow SNRHA’s HCV application page. In Washoe County, monitor Reno Housing Authority. Outside Clark and Washoe, use Nevada Rural Housing.
Reality check: A voucher is not an apartment. Unit approval, rent review, inspection, and landlord paperwork still follow. Wait times can be difficult to predict.
Project-Based Vouchers
What it helps with: Project-Based Voucher assistance is attached to a specific property or unit. The subsidy stays with the unit when the tenant leaves.
Where to apply: Apply to the specific PBV list or property. Nevada Rural Housing posts property-specific openings, including the September 2026 announcement described above.
Reality check: PBV notices may limit applications by age, disability, bedroom size, household size, or property. Read the exact notice before applying.
Project-Based Rental Assistance
What it helps with: Project-Based Rental Assistance is tied to a HUD-assisted property. The property manages leasing and its waiting list.
Where to apply: Use HUD’s multifamily property search, then call management and ask whether the exact unit has project-based rental assistance.
Reality check: One building can contain different unit types. Do not assume every apartment in a HUD-assisted property has the same rent subsidy.
USDA Rural Rental Housing
What it helps with: USDA supports rental housing in eligible rural areas. Its rental assistance program can reduce rent for eligible tenants in participating properties.
Where to apply: Search for a USDA-financed property and contact the property directly.
Reality check: Rental assistance may not be attached to every unit. Also compare transportation, medical care, groceries, and utility costs before moving farther from services.
LIHTC Apartments
What it helps with: Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) properties reserve units for households under set income limits. Nevada Housing Division administers the state LIHTC program.
Where to apply: Find a property through NVHousingSearch and apply directly to management.
Reality check: LIHTC rent is usually income-restricted, not calculated from your exact income. A rent that meets tax-credit rules can still be too high for a person living only on Social Security. Ask whether the property also has PBV, PBRA, or another subsidy.
Where to Apply by Nevada Region
| Agency | Main role | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Nevada Housing Division | State housing programs and statewide housing-search support; not a master apartment wait list | Carson City: 775-684-2941 Las Vegas: 702-486-7220 |
| SNRHA | Clark County, including Las Vegas, North Las Vegas, and Henderson | 702-477-3100 340 N. 11th Street, Las Vegas, NV 89101 |
| Reno Housing Authority | Reno, Sparks, and Washoe County programs | 775-329-3630 1525 East Ninth Street, Reno, NV 89512 |
| Nevada Rural Housing | Rental-assistance programs outside Clark and Washoe counties | 775-887-1795 3695 Desatoya Drive, Carson City, NV 89701 |
| USDA Rural Development | USDA housing programs in eligible rural areas | Nevada office: 775-887-1222 Multifamily: 1-800-292-8293 |
Southern Nevada
SNRHA uses separate application paths for Housing Choice Vouchers, public housing, affordable housing, and RAD/PBV housing. Check the applicant page and RentCafe rather than assuming one list covers everything. SNRHA also says veterans may apply to Affordable, RAD/PBV, or Public Housing communities at any time; when a list is closed, the veteran route may require an in-person application.
Northern Nevada
Reno Housing Authority serves Washoe County. Its current applicant page says all public housing sites, Project-Based Assistance, Silverada Manor, Pilgrims Rest for people age 62 and older, and Village at Hawk View are open. Its HCV list remains closed. Because list status can change, recheck before applying.
Rural Nevada
Nevada Rural Housing’s HCV program serves counties outside Clark and Washoe. It selects applicants when lists are open and warns that the process can take months or years depending on funding and voucher availability. Rural applicants should also check USDA properties.
For broader housing help beyond apartments, use our Nevada housing guide. For food, utility, medical, and other benefit routes that can make rent easier to manage, see our Nevada assistance guide.
How to Start Without Wasting Time
- Choose your geography first. Use SNRHA for Clark County, Reno Housing Authority for Washoe County, and Nevada Rural Housing for its HCV service area outside those two counties.
- Search properties too. Do not wait only for a tenant-based voucher. Check Section 202, PBV, PBRA, USDA, public housing, and LIHTC properties.
- Call before paying. Ask whether the exact list and bedroom size are open and whether the exact unit has rental assistance.
- Apply to multiple suitable lists. Keep every confirmation number and login.
- Update every application. A new phone number, email, mailing address, or household change may need to be reported separately to each agency or property.
- Read every notice. Missing a response date can cost you a place on a list.
Ask for the Full Monthly Cost
A low advertised rent can still be hard to afford after utilities and fees. Ask management for the full cost before paying an application or holding fee.
- Is rent based on adjusted income or fixed for the unit?
- Which utilities do I pay?
- Is there a utility allowance?
- What are the application, screening, deposit, and move-in charges?
- Are trash, pest control, cable, internet, renters insurance, parking, laundry, or service packages required?
- When is income recertified?
- If I have a voucher, has the proposed rent been approved?
Household Rules Can Change the Result
Tell the property or housing authority who will actually live in the apartment. Ask before adding a spouse, adult child, grandchild, caregiver, or live-in aide. Bedroom size, income counting, senior-only rules, and disability-related needs can change the answer.
If disability changes your housing needs, our Nevada disability guide has additional state resources. Veterans can also use the Nevada veteran guide.
Documents and Information to Gather
- Photo identification for adult household members.
- Legal names, birth dates, and Social Security numbers or other accepted identification.
- Social Security, pension, wage, unemployment, and other income records.
- Bank and asset statements if the program requests them.
- Current lease, landlord information, and rental history.
- Mailing address, phone number, email, and a trusted alternate contact.
- Disability-related documents when a requested accommodation is not obvious.
- Custody, guardianship, marriage, divorce, or live-in-aide documents when relevant.
Keep copies of what you submit. Do not send original identity documents unless the program specifically requires them. If you are also applying for state benefits, our Nevada benefits portal guide can help you organize that process.
Disability Requests and Accessible Housing
A reasonable accommodation changes a rule, policy, service, or communication method because of a disability. Examples can include help completing an application, another way to communicate, an assistance-animal exception, or a disability-related bedroom request.
A reasonable modification changes a physical part of the unit or common area, such as a ramp or grab bar. HUD provides disability housing guidance.
For Nevada help, contact Silver State Fair Housing at 1-888-585-8634. Northern Nevada: 775-324-0990. Southern Nevada: 702-749-3288. Put requests in writing when possible so you have a record.
Reality Checks
- There is no statewide master list. Each authority and property controls its own application.
- A listing is not a vacancy. A building may be listed while its wait list is closed or the needed bedroom size is unavailable.
- Selection is not move-in. Eligibility review, screening, documents, inspections, and unit approval can follow.
- Buildings can mix rent types. Confirm the subsidy on the exact unit offered to you.
- Rural distance matters. A lower rent can come with higher transportation, cooling, heating, medical, or grocery costs.
- Wait times are not guaranteed. Funding, turnover, preferences, and unit availability can change the pace.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Applying to the wrong regional housing authority.
- Assuming “affordable” means rent will equal a fixed percentage of your income.
- Stopping your search after joining one wait list.
- Failing to update your address, phone, email, or household information.
- Paying someone to “unlock” a government housing list.
- Sending Social Security numbers or identity documents through an unverified link or personal message.
- Paying by gift card, cryptocurrency, wire transfer, or cash to a stranger who promises immediate HUD approval.
If You Are Denied, Delayed, or Removed From a List
- Read the entire notice and find the reason, deadline, and response method.
- Ask for the reason in writing if it is not clear.
- Correct factual errors and send missing documents through the approved channel.
- Request a reasonable accommodation if a disability affected communication, paperwork, or a deadline.
- Use the review or hearing process described in the notice.
- Keep other housing applications active while the issue is reviewed.
Nevada Legal Services’ Senior Law Project provides free legal services to Nevadans age 60 and older and lists housing-assistance denials, terminations, subsidized housing, and housing discrimination among its priorities.
If you believe housing discrimination occurred, you can also use HUD’s fair housing complaint process or call 1-800-669-9777.
Backup Options While You Wait
- Apply to both subsidized and income-restricted properties that fit your actual budget.
- Search nearby communities only after checking transportation, health care, groceries, and utilities.
- Ask Nevada 211 about eviction prevention, deposit help, temporary shelter, and local rental programs.
- Ask an Area Agency on Aging about benefits that can reduce food, medical, energy, or transportation costs. Our Nevada aging agencies guide lists the main entry points.
- Keep searching after joining a list. A wait-list confirmation is not a housing offer.
Phone Scripts
Ask whether the list is open
“Hello. I am a senior looking for affordable housing. Is the waiting list open for this exact property or program? Is the rent income-based or income-restricted, and how do I apply?”
Ask for the real monthly cost
“Before I apply, can you tell me the estimated rent, which utilities I pay, all required monthly fees, the deposit, and whether this unit has rental assistance?”
Ask for disability help
“I need help completing the application because of a disability. How do I request a reasonable accommodation or another way to apply?”
Ask about a notice
“I received a notice about my application. Please explain the reason, the deadline, what documents are missing, and how I can request a review or hearing if the information is wrong.”
Resumen en Español
Nevada no tiene una sola solicitud para todos los apartamentos de bajos ingresos. Empiece con NVHousingSearch y después revise la agencia que corresponde a su zona. SNRHA atiende el condado de Clark. Reno Housing Authority atiende el condado de Washoe. Nevada Rural Housing administra su programa de vales fuera de Clark y Washoe.
Pregunte si el alquiler se basa en sus ingresos o si solamente está restringido por ingresos. Confirme servicios públicos, depósitos, cargos, tamaño del hogar y si la unidad exacta tiene subsidio. Una lista de espera no garantiza una vivienda ni una fecha de mudanza.
Para ayuda con la búsqueda en NVHousingSearch, llame al 1-877-428-8844. Si una discapacidad dificulta la solicitud, pida una adaptación razonable. Guarde copias de avisos, confirmaciones y documentos.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best first search for senior apartments in Nevada?
Start with NVHousingSearch, then check the correct regional housing authority. Also use HUD’s multifamily search for Section 202 and other HUD-assisted properties, and USDA’s search for rural apartments.
Is every low-income apartment rent based on my income?
No. Public housing, vouchers, and many HUD-assisted units use income-based rent rules. LIHTC apartments usually have income limits and restricted rents that are not calculated from your exact income.
Which Nevada housing authority should I use?
Use SNRHA for Clark County and Reno Housing Authority for Washoe County. Nevada Rural Housing’s current Housing Choice Voucher program serves Nevada counties outside Clark and Washoe.
Are any Reno senior housing lists open now?
As of September 13, 2026, Reno Housing Authority says several public and project-based lists are open, including Pilgrims Rest for people age 62 and older. Its Housing Choice Voucher list remains closed. Recheck the agency page before applying because list status can change.
Are Section 202 apartments for people age 62 or older?
HUD says at least one adult household member must be age 62 or older for Section 202 housing. The household must also meet the program’s income rules, and individual properties can have additional occupancy requirements.
Does a Housing Choice Voucher give me an apartment?
No. A tenant-based voucher helps pay approved rent, but the household normally must find a qualifying unit and complete the housing authority’s rent, inspection, and approval process.
Can I ask for help with an online application?
Yes. A person with a disability can request a reasonable accommodation, such as help completing paperwork or another communication method. Ask the housing authority or property how to make the request.
What should I do if my application is denied?
Read the notice, check the deadline, ask for the reason in writing, correct errors, and use any review or hearing process listed in the notice. Nevada Legal Services or a fair housing organization may also be able to help.
About This Guide
Sources: This guide uses official federal, state, local, and other high-trust nonprofit and community sources linked in the article.
Editorial note: This guide is produced under the GFS Editorial Standards using official and other high-trust sources. GFS is not affiliated with a government agency and is not a substitute for official agency guidance. Individual eligibility outcomes cannot be guaranteed.
Corrections: Despite careful verification, errors may occur. Readers may email info@grantsforseniors.org with corrections.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not legal, financial, medical, tax, disability-rights, immigration, or government-agency advice. Program rules, policies, funding, and availability can change. Readers should confirm current details directly with the responsible official program before acting.
Last updated: 27 September 2026 · Next review: 27 January 2027
About the Authors