The Downtown Reno Library has long been a one-stop shop for finding information, gathering resources and accessing services in Northern Nevada. On Monday, August 19, the library added an additional resource for individuals seeking assistance in finding affordable housing: the brand new Reno Housing Authority (RHA) Service Kiosk.
The RHA’s mission is to provide high-quality, sustainable and equitable housing in Washoe County, Reno and Sparks. The goal is to provide low-income families with a stable foundation so they can improve their quality of life, become independent and take advantage of economic opportunities. The new kiosk offers many services, including instant access to the RHA website and forms, as well as an easily accessible location to print and scan these documents.
In attendance at the kiosk’s grand opening were local celebrities including Washoe County Library Director Jeff Scott, Washoe County Commissioner Alexis Hill, and Ashley Martinez, a representative from U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen’s office, who presented both the Washoe County Library System and the RHA with certificates of congratulations on the kiosk’s opening.
“This is a very happy occasion for the Downtown Reno Library,” said Director Scott. “This is a wonderful partnership with the Reno Housing Authority and we are pleased to be able to provide this resource. While you can get information at the library on a public access computer, the Housing Authority kiosk offers much more.”
In her remarks, RHA Director Dr. Hilary Lopez emphasized that the kiosk will make RHA services more accessible than ever before.
“The Housing Authority is constantly looking for additional ways to expand our services and make them more accessible to both our clients and the community,” she said. “This new kiosk is just another way we’re doing that. It will allow those applying to or receiving services from the Housing Authority to conveniently access information, forms and more during library hours, including on a weekend day, and from a central location in Washoe County.”
The easy-to-use kiosk allows community members to learn about Housing Authority programs, search for, complete, print, and upload documents directly to the Housing Authority, apply for waitlists, update their household information, pay their rent online, and more. Having these services readily available at the Downtown Reno Library is especially important for community members who have limited access to the internet, printing, or scanning.
Following the ceremony, Joshua Stice, RHA’s Director of Information Technology, demonstrated the kiosk’s features. During and after the demonstration, library patrons who happened to be in the building immediately expressed interest in using the kiosk.
This is an easily accessible resource and a powerful tool for individuals needing assistance with housing. It underscores the Downtown Reno Library’s long-standing commitment to being a place that Northern Nevada residents can turn to when they need help. For more information about the Downtown Reno Library and other library services, visit washoecountylibrary.us.
