Carson City forum to address affordable housing

The Sierra Nevada Forum on Tuesday plans to address a problem plaguing Carson City and much of the country — a dearth of affordable housing.

“Workforce Affordable Housing: Who Can’t Afford to Live in Carson City And If They Can, Where Are The Vacancies?” will feature a panel of local experts who will speak on the topic followed by a discussion with the audience.

The panelists are Sarah Adler, a member of the Governor’s Council on Food Security, and president, Board of Directors for the Healthy Communities Coalition of Lyon and Storey counties; Brad Bonkowski, Carson City supervisor and Broker of Record, owner, NAI Alliance Carson City; Bill Brewer, executive director, Nevada Rural Housing Authority; Lee Plemel, director, Carson City Community Development department; Frederick Steinmann, assistant research professor, University Center for Economic Development at the University of Nevada, Reno; and Aaron West, CEO, Nevada Builders Alliance.

Supervisor Lori Bagwell and Mary Jane Ostrander, division manager, Carson City Health and Human Services, will take part in the question-and-answer session after the panel.

“The purpose of the forum is to bring forward some public awareness on the issues behind the curtain because everyone is in favor of affordable housing, but logistically it is hard,” said Bonkowski.

The free event is Sept. 11, 6 p.m., in the Brewery Arts Center’s Performance Hall, 449 W. King St.