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NEVADA VIEWS: Single-family rentals are a bridge to opportunity, not a barrier

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2 weeks ago

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NEVADA VIEWS: Single-family rentals are a bridge to opportunity, not a barrier


Housing affordability has become one of the most pressing economic challenges facing families across Las Vegas and Nevada. As prices and borrowing costs remain elevated, the debate over why housing feels increasingly out of reach has intensified. In the search for answers, single-family home investors are often singled out as a convenient explanation. But that framing oversimplifies a far more structural problem and risks distracting from the real drivers of affordability.

For many Nevadans, the desire to live in a single-family home hasn’t changed. What has changed is access. Higher interest rates, elevated home prices and limited inventory have reshaped the housing landscape, making traditional ownership more difficult for households at various stages of life. In that environment, single-family rentals have expanded to meet demand — not as a replacement for ownership, but as one of several ways families secure stable housing in constrained markets.

Investor participation in housing is frequently portrayed in binary terms: good or bad. The data, however, is more nuanced.

A recent analysis from the UNLV’s Lied Center for Real Estate documents that investors have represented roughly 1 in 5 home purchases in the Las Vegas area over the past 15 years, with activity peaking in the post-COVID period before easing more recently. Importantly, the study does not assign value judgments. It simply reports a trade-off: Elevated investor participation contributes to greater availability of single-family rental homes while also tightening supply for prospective owner-occupants.

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That distinction matters, particularly when data is used to inform public policy. Much of the investor data cited in public discourse relies on standardized national datasets that are often sourced from firms such as Redfin and that classify buyers based on ownership structures such as LLCs or trusts. These classifications are necessary for consistency and privacy, but they inherently limit visibility into who is behind a purchase and how a home is ultimately used. This does not make the data inaccurate. But it does not tell the full story, and caution is warranted when drawing policy conclusions from ownership labels alone.

What can be measured clearly, and consistently, is housing supply and housing prices. On those metrics, the evidence is decisive. A 2025 Lied Center study shows Southern Nevada has experienced nearly 15 years of chronic underbuilding. Since 2010, residential construction in the Las Vegas area has declined by more than 60 percent compared with historical norms, even as population growth continued. Had construction merely kept pace with prior trends, the region would have tens of thousands more homes today.

National research reaches the same conclusion. Studies from the National Bureau of Economic Research consistently find that prolonged underbuilding and restrictive land-use policies are primary drivers of rising home prices. Nevada’s affordability challenges are not unique, but the constraints shaping them are especially pronounced.

Nowhere is that clearer than land availability. Roughly 80 percent of Nevada’s land is controlled by the federal government, with much of Southern Nevada controlled by the Bureau of Land Management. This structure limits where housing can be built, extends development timelines and increases land costs long before a home is ever constructed. Those costs ripple through the market, affecting renters and buyers. Any serious conversation about affordability in Nevada must account for this reality. Issues like this are of far greater impact than the portion of investors who own housing units.

There is no single cause of today’s housing challenges, and there will be no single solution. But the direction is clear. Expanding housing options requires addressing the barriers that constrain supply: permitting delays, zoning limitations, regulatory complexity, land access and the cumulative friction that slows housing production. Focusing narrowly on who owns homes, rather than how many homes exist, risks missing the larger picture.

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Single-family rentals and homeownership are not opposing forces. They are interconnected outcomes of a housing system shaped by policy choices, market conditions and long-term supply decisions. If Nevada wants a more affordable, resilient housing market, the focus must remain on increasing supply and removing the obstacles that prevent it. We should not be focused on regulating areas of the market where data sets aren’t clear, unintended negative consequences may occur and our business-friendly environment will be harmed.

Zach WalkerLieb is a housing policy advocate, the managing partner of Willow Manor and chairman of the Board of Habitat for Humanity Las Vegas.



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Nevada

California Gov. Gavin Newsom speaks to Nevada Democrats in Las Vegas

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12 hours ago

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March 5, 2026

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California Gov. Gavin Newsom speaks to Nevada Democrats in Las Vegas


California Gov. Gavin Newsom addressed Nevada Democrats who packed a Las Vegas brewery Wednesday evening for a discussion about his upbringing, his political life and efforts his state has taken to combat the Trump administration agenda.

Newsom, who has been floated as a possible White House contender for 2028, sidestepped a quip from former Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak who introduced him as the next U.S. president amid cheers from the crowd.

“I’m very grateful for your friendship, and a friendship that’s only strengthened over the course of the last year or so,” Newsom told Sisolak.

Book tour stop

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The event, which served as a book tour stop for the California governor, was organized by the Nevada Democratic Party. It took place at Nevada Brew Works near Summerlin.

Nevada Assemblymember Daniele Monroe-Moreno, the state party chair running for North Las Vegas mayor, moderated the discussion.

It was part of the party’s Local Brews + National Views series that’s been bringing Democrats for similar discussions at intimate venues. Past speakers have included former President Joe Biden, Arizona U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly, and Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker.

Criticizing President Donald Trump, Newsom spoke about the immediate aftermath of the 2024 general election.

“We were handwringing, a lot of finger pointing, and a sense of weakness,” Newsom said. “And just incapable of dealing with this moment, this existential moment.”

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He said he is taking account for what he described as his own complicity.

“This happened on my watch. This is all happening on our watch,” Newsom said. “And so I realized that I needed to be better.”

That included his advocacy to redraw California’s Congressional map after Trump called for the same in Texas, he said.

“They’re not screwing around, nor are we,” he said about Trump and his administration. “All of us.”

‘You’re giving us a voice’

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Newsom spoke out against the surge of federal immigration enforcement operations in California and later Minnesota, calls from the Trump administration to nationalize elections, and cuts to government funding due to the One, Big, Beautiful Bill Act.

He said that pushback against Trump’s policies, including dozens of lawsuits filed by California, were making the president retreat on some of his proposals and policies.

“You’re filling the void, you’re giving us a voice, you’re giving us courage,” he told the crowd. “For things to change, we have to change. And it’s changing.”

The Republican National Committee reacted to Newsom’s Las Vegas visit. Earlier in the day, Newsom attended a private Boulder City event.

“Democrats are selling out to the spoiled, phony rich kid governor from California for years,” RNC spokesperson Nick Poche wrote in a statement. “President Donald Trump and Republicans are delivering major tax cuts and keeping Nevadans safe, unlike Democrats.”

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The national Republican Party also criticized California’s policies, and tied them back to Nevada Democrats.

Most of Newsom’s remarks weren’t specific to Nevada. He didn’t take any questions from media.

Polling shows Newsom and Vice President JD Vance leading in hypothetical races for their parties’ nomination. That includes a survey of likely Nevada voters conducted one by Emerson College Polling in November.

Contact Ricardo Torres-Cortez at rtorres@reviewjournal.com. The Associated Press contributed to this report.

 

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Second annual Nevada Nordic Freeheel Festival celebrates Tahoe winter recreation at SnowFest

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1 day ago

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March 4, 2026

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Second annual Nevada Nordic Freeheel Festival celebrates Tahoe winter recreation at SnowFest


INCLINE VILLAGE, Nev. – It’s time to “free your heels” and embrace Tahoe’s winter recreation at the Nevada Nordic Freeheel Festival on March 7. Whether you’re a seasoned pro at cross-country skiing or snowshoeing, or you’re trying to get your feet wet, Saturday’s event is teeming with nature, brews, and camaraderie. 

The Nevada Nordic Freeheel Festival takes place Saturday, March 7
Provided/SnowFest

Travel North Tahoe Nevada (TNTNV) is teaming up with Nevada Nordic, Tahoe Multisport, Alibi Ale Works, UC Davis Tahoe Environmental Research Center, Nevada Division of Outdoor Recreation and other local partners in the wondrous Tahoe Meadows, providing attendees a chance to engage with outdoor recreation experts, check out free cross-country and snowshoe rentals, and more.

“We’re excited to see the Nevada Nordic Freeheel Festival enter its second year, building on last year’s strong community response. In collaboration with our local partners, this event is thoughtfully curated with residents in mind – offering free equipment for the day, expert instruction, locally crafted brews, and other experiences in a welcoming setting,” said Andy Chapman, President and CEO of Travel North Tahoe Nevada. “It’s designed to make it easy for residents to get outside, try something new, and bring people together. Events like this reflect the spirit of North Lake Tahoe and what’s possible when our community comes together.”

Along with opportunities to test out free demos and rentals, there will be live music, beer tasting and races.

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Tahoe Meadows is known for its gentle trails, and is a popular spot for snowshoeing due to its flat terrain. This event, located near Chickadee Ridge, will offer stunning views of the surrounding mountains. 

This family-friendly event is on the second to last day of the 10-day SnowFest winter festival that’s been taking place in the North Lake Tahoe area. It starts bright and early at 9 a.m. and will close out at 2 p.m.

“Nevada Nordic is thrilled to be a part of SnowFest again this year,” said Meghan Pry, Nevada Nordic Board Member. “We love sharing our passion for cross-country skiing and watching our community grow. We are proud to keep winter recreation accessible by offering free access to our 20km trail network. This is the perfect opportunity for our community to gather together and free our heels!”

For more information about the Nevada Nordic Freeheel Festival or to check out the SnowFest schedule, visit tahoesnowfest.org. 

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Earthquake swarm rattles central Nevada near Tonopah along newly identified fault

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2 days ago

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March 4, 2026

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Earthquake swarm rattles central Nevada near Tonopah along newly identified fault


A swarm of earthquakes has been rattling a remote stretch of central Nevada near Tonopah, including a magnitude 4.0 quake that hit near Warm Springs Tuesday morning.

Seismologists said the activity is typical for Nevada, where clusters of earthquakes can flare up in a concentrated area. “This is a very Nevada-style earthquake sequence. We have these a lot where we just see an uptick in activity in a certain spot,” said Christie Rowe, director of the Nevada Seismological Lab.

The latest magnitude 4.0 quake struck east of Tonopah near Warm Springs. The largest earthquake in the swarm so far has measured a 4.2.

What has stood out to researchers is the fault involved. Rowe said the earthquakes are occurring along a fault stretching along the southern edge of the Monitor and Antelope ranges — and that it was previously unknown to scientists. “We didn’t know this fault was there. It’s a new fault to us — not to the Earth, obviously — but it was previously unknown,” Rowe said.

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For now, the earthquakes have remained moderate. Rowe said the lab would not deploy additional temporary sensors unless activity increases to around a magnitude 5 or greater.

Seismologists said they are continuing to watch the swarm closely as Nevada works to bring the ShakeAlert early warning system to the state. The program, already active in neighboring states, can send cellphone alerts seconds before shaking arrives. “For me, it’s a really high priority. That distance to the faults gives us enough time to warn people — and that can make a big difference in reducing injuries and damage,” Rowe said.

Seismologists encouraged anyone who feels shaking to report it through the U.S. Geological Survey’s “Did You Feel It” system, saying even small quakes can help scientists better understand Nevada’s seismic activity.

Experts said the swarm is worth monitoring but is not cause for alarm. They noted that earthquakes like the 5.8 that hit near Yerington in December 2024 typically happen in Nevada about every eight to 10 years, and said they will continue monitoring the current activity closely.



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