Marvel Way Apartments

RENO, NEVADA

Goal: Provide safe, affordable, sober-living housing for individuals in recovery in Reno, Nevada—creating a mutually supportive community where residents can build life skills and sustain their recovery.

The first of its kind in Nevada, Reno’s Marvel Way Apartments provides permanent supportive housing for very low-income individuals in recovery and their families. The three-story residence offers a total of 88 affordable-units, including 2 studios, 71 one-bedroom and 15 two-bedroom units. 23 of the units will be set aside at 30% AMI, with 22 reserved for 50% AMI.The community encourages connection and self-care through ample common amenities, including a multi-purpose room with a warming kitchen, exercise room, computer lab, on-site laundry facilities, and a library. Outdoor spaces include an open green space, secure sitting, barbecue areas, a community garden and potting shed, playground, and dog park.

CDP partnered with The Empowerment Center (TEC), a Reno-based non-profit organization that provides recovery-based transitional housing for women, to carefully design a thoughtful resident services program promoting physical and mental health, sobriety, and wellbeing within a safe environment. Residents have access to an array of on-site community-based services, including 12-Step meetings, job training, life skills coaching, and referrals to local service organizations.

Marvel Way Apartments is a certified GreenPoint rated development, with high efficiency heating and cooling equipment and EnergyStar appliances. Additionally, the site is less than a mile away from numerous shops, services, and resources, with easy access to public transportation.

DEVELOPMENT

CDP served as the developer in both Phase I and II of the project, while TEC acted as both the General Partner and long-term owner of the property. Designed with TEC’s mission at the forefront, Marvel Way provides sober-living, permanent supportive housing that ensures individuals leaving treatment centers never have to return to unsafe or toxic living environments. Phase I was made possible through a combination of financing sources, including 9% Low-Income Housing Tax Credits allocated by the Nevada Housing Division, Washoe County HOME Investment Partnerships Program funds, National Housing Trust Fund (NHTF) from the State of Nevada, Affordable Housing Program (AHP) funds, and Section 8 Project-Based Vouchers. TEC also raised donor contributions to support off-site infrastructure costs.

Marvel Way Phase II took a different approach to financing. Unlike Phase I, it did not rely on Low-Income Housing Tax Credits. Instead, this phase utilized $16.3 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds distributed through the State of Nevada’s Home Means Nevada Initiative (HMN). These funds were paired with $750,000 in HOME Investment Partnerships Program funds from the City of Reno and $1 million from the National Housing Trust Fund (NHTF), administered by the State of Nevada.

DATA
  • Completion Date: April 2025
  • Total Development Cost: $34.2M
  • Density: 24.2 units/acre
  • Affordability: 30% - 50% AMI
  • Total Units: 88
  • Unit Mix: 2 0BD, 71 1BD, 15 2BD
  • Sustainability: GreenPoint Rated + Net Zero (Target)
TEAM
  • Owner: The Empowerment Center
  • Developer: CDP
  • Architect: STK Architects
  • Contractor: Mountain West Builders
  • Property Management: FPI Management
  • Resident Services Partner: The Empowerment Center
WEBSITE

PARTNERS

CDP is proud to partner with The Empowerment Center, an organization dedicated to bettering the lives of women in recovery through treatment in a safe living environment.

The Empowerment Center (TEC)

The Empowerment Center is a recovery-oriented system of care for adult women who are ready to become successful, self-sufficient, and productive members of our community. TEC serves low income, recovering addicts and alcoholics, many of whom have been incarcerated or homeless for quite some time, and are compassionately dedicated to helping women who suffer from substance abuse restore their dignity and quality of life. The nonprofit organization empowers women to build a better future through treatment and workforce development in a safe living environment. TEC believes in the power of recovery to change outlooks, lives and ultimately the community.