Low-income community-outreach expo to provide many opportunities

Low-income seniors and families in need of housing or other programs to improve their quality of life will find a wealth of information all in one place Thursday.

Weststates Property Management is hosting a free community outreach expo for low-income seniors and families from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday at Southgate Apartments, 2100 California St. in Carson City.

"Our mission is to promote community awareness of affordable housing options, as well as all of the other programs and services that are offered to help improve the lives of our struggling low-income Nevada residents," said Missi Pollender, vice-president and regional director of Weststates Property Management.

There is no charge to the public or participating agencies to attend the expo.

Managers from a number of properties in the surrounding area will be present to greet the public. There

will be representatives from the

following:

• Summit Crest and Southgate

1 & 2 in Carson City

• Mahogany Court and Kingsbury Manor in Minden

• River Valley in Dayton

• Silverado in Silver Springs

• Sierra Run 1 & 2 and Fernwood in Fernley

• Yerington Manor, Yerington Gardens and Southwood Apartments in Yerington

• Sunridge Quarters in Fallon

• Silver Sage Senior and Silver Sage at Neil Road in Reno - a brand new senior complex slated to open May 1

Pollender said Weststates is working in collaboration with other housing partners and nonprofit agencies, as well as state and federal programs, to provide a more complete package of information to those who attend the expo.

"We are creating a one-stop place where the public can come and gather information, meet the staff members, and start taking the right steps to improve their quality of living," she said.

Some of the agencies which will have representatives on hand to offer assistance are:

• Nevada Rural Housing Authority, which has ownership in several of the properties

• USDA Rural Development

• The Nevada Housing Division

• Silver State Fair Housing Council

• Ron Wood Family Resource Center

• United Latino Community, formerly known as Nevada Hispanic Services

Danielle Erickson, leasing agent for Southgate, said the event also will include cookies and coffee, and a kids corner with activities.

"We want to get families connected with programs and services, and make it easier for folks to pick the brains of the experts," Erickson said.

There will be plenty of information available about food distribution, rental assistance, aging and disability services, utility assistance, security deposit loan programs, first-time buyer programs, county human resources and much more from surrounding Carson City, Douglas, Washoe, Lyon and Churchill counties, Pollender said.

There is still room for additional agencies, so anyone interested in participating can call Erickson at (775) 887-1747 ext. 23, or Pollender at (775) 246-3663.