Feb 6, 2025
A group of Las Vegas seniors were forced to find a new place to live after their independent living home was sold. Residents were told at the beginning of January they had until the 30th of the month to pack up and move out, according to KTNV Channel 13.
But moving out is easier said than done. Some residents are on a fixed income and the cost of relocating was simply out of reach.
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“They’re talking about locking doors and putting our stuff out on the curb,” Virginia Collins told the local broadcaster in a story published Jan. 23. “We’ve been put through hell.”
Collins contacted Channel 13 in an effort to get help for herself and her fellow housemates before they'd be left homeless. She also says the issues at the home started before they received the notice to leave.
Maintenance issues
A letter from the care company that owned the home, Varsobia Home Care Services, stated the property needed repairs in preparation for its sale, reports the broadcaster, prompting the request for residents to move out.
There were signs of trouble at the home even before residents were informed of the sale. Collins noted the house didn't have hot water. Residents also claimed the power was turned off, and one of them ended up opening a new account in their own name to get it back on.
Apparently this isn’t the first time a property owned by this particular company has had issues. Last summer, Channel 13 reported on another property just a few blocks away where residents were left without air conditioning during a heat wave. In that case, the air conditioning was fixed after the story was broadcast. Collins’s situation had a similarly bittersweet conclusion.
On Jan. 30, the day residents had to leave the home, members of the community turned out to help, per Channel 13, including county officials and a local moving company that offered to pack up belongings free of charge.
“You just can’t be a person who says you care about the community, but you’re not involved at all,” a local who came to lend a hand told the broadcaster.
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Other community members offered housing, food and even donations to smooth the residents’ transition to new housing.
A spokesperson for Varsobia sent the following statement to Channel 13: “To clarify, this [property] is not owned by Varsobia Home Care Services and is not a care facility nor a group home. It is an independent living arrangement where elders rent the property and manage their daily lives with no needed care or medical assistance provided by us. The tenants were informed that the property is for sale and have been given ample amount of time to relocate. We have also provided them referrals to other independent living options to assist them in finding suitable housing.”
The broadcaster says property records show the house was owned by Varsobia, but details on the new owners were unclear. It’s also unclear from the reporting how many residents were living on the property.
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Senior housing problem
Nevada is experiencing a shortage of affordable rentals, which can affect seniors who rely on a fixed income. According to the National Low Income Housing Coalition, Nevada has a deficit of over 78,000 affordable rental homes for extremely low-income renters. In addition, 31% of seniors in Nevada are part of extremely low-income renter households.
Nationwide, the Census Bureau reported in December 2023 that 10.9% of Americans over the age of 65 lived in poverty.
Community support is available for some facing these complex problems. In Las Vegas, for example, Senior Services connects seniors with resources and programs that can help. Nevada HAND, a non-profit organization, builds and manages affordable rentals for low-income seniors and working families.
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Danielle is a personal finance writer based in Ohio. Her work has appeared in numerous publications including Motley Fool and Business Insider. She believes financial literacy key to helping people build a life they love.
