NVAR sponsored free event for employers, real estate, government leaders, public

LAS VEGAS – Dozens of local real estate industry and government leaders filled a meeting room at the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce building in Town Square Wednesday for “Under One Roof,” a forum on employer-assisted housing programs.

The three-hour event was free and open to the public. Among those who spoke in support of the effort to encourage more employers to help their employees access quality housing were North Las Vegas Mayor Shari Buck; Henderson Mayor Andy Hafen; Richard Lee, of First American Title Company; Las Vegas City Councilman Stavros Anthony; Holly Moskerintz, of the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR); Margarita Rebollal, of Community Services of Southern Nevada; Jodi Royal-Goodwin, of the Nevada Housing Division; Zolt Szorenyi, of Lenders Clearing House; and Michelle Villero, of NeighborWorks America. All were welcomed by Patty Kelley, president-elect of the Nevada Association of REALTORS® (NVAR), which was a primary sponsor of the event.

Event organizer Dawn Lane, founder of the HOPE Home Foundation, said this was the first event of its kind primarily targeting employers in Southern Nevada.

“The goal for the forum is to focus our business leaders on strategies and solutions for responding to today’s two most critical areas – housing and employment,” Lane said. “We want our audience of housing industry professionals, opinion leaders, business owners, human resource managers, elected officials and members of the media to engage in a comprehensive conversation about how to stabilize and strengthen the housing sector using employer-assisted housing programs to encourage sustainable home ownership – especially in neighborhoods near employment centers and in areas needing stabilization.”

Lane said local companies are struggling to retain productive, stable workers. Employer-assisted housing “is an emerging strategy that can give businesses a tool to help.” Through such programs, she said employers can offer affordable housing solutions for their employees. Options can include businesses helping their employees buy or rent a home and offering first-time home buyer and foreclosure prevention counseling. Businesses can benefit financially by hiring and retaining quality employees, through improved morale, greater productivity, lower turnover and more.

The Nevada Association of REALTORS® (NVAR) was a primary sponsor of the event, along with the HOPE Home Foundation, Lenders Clearinghouse, Chase, Evergreen Home Loans, Southern Nevada Issues Mobilization Fund, Nations Title Company, Stewart Title of Nevada, First American Title Company, All Western Mortgage, and Professional Realty Group.

 

About the HOPE Home Foundation
The Las Vegas-based HOPE (Housing Opportunities, Programs and Education) Home foundation has been a pioneer in delivering employer-assisted housing programs for more than 10 years. Visit www.HopeHomeFoundation.com or call (702) 497-6967.

About the NVAR
The Nevada Association of REALTORS® is a professional trade association with nearly 14,000 members. NVAR is committed to protecting, promoting and preserving our communities. Visit www.NVAR.org.