Construction has begun on a new domestic violence shelter in Reno aimed at expanding support services and housing capacity for survivors in Washoe County.
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The project is being developed by the Domestic Violence Resource Center of Washoe County, which plans to significantly expand its shelter capacity to meet growing demand for safe housing and support services.
According to officials, the new facility will increase the number of available beds from 25 to 100. The organization temporarily relocated its existing shelter beds last fall to allow construction to begin on the new building located on Vassar Street.
DVRC Executive Director Kristen Kennedy recently provided an update on the project during a meeting of the Reno City Council.
Kennedy said the organization has already raised most of the funding needed for the project through private donations.
“While our current facility has served us well for over 40 years, the truth is it was never designed to meet the scale or complexity of need that we see today,” Kennedy said.
The new shelter will span approximately 41,000 square feet and will offer more privacy and expanded services for individuals and families fleeing domestic violence.
Unlike the current temporary shelter, where several residents may share limited facilities, the new center will feature private bedrooms and bathrooms designed to provide a more stable and comfortable environment.
“You can imagine, if you’re going through trauma, having to share a room with somebody else, how difficult that is,” said Kennedy.
In addition to housing, the new facility will include several supportive spaces aimed at helping survivors rebuild their lives. Plans include activity rooms for children and teenagers, office space for counseling and job training services, financial coaching programs and a sensory garden designed to promote healing.
The shelter will also feature temporary kennels for pets and a separate on-site shelter area specifically for men experiencing domestic violence.
The expansion project comes as domestic violence incidents continue to rise in Washoe County.
Data from the DVRC indicates that law enforcement agencies recorded 3,898 domestic violence incidents in the county during 2025. That total represents an increase of 201 incidents compared with 2024 and 167 more cases than were recorded in 2020, the previous peak year.
However, officials note that the reported figures likely represent only a portion of the actual cases, as many survivors do not report abuse to law enforcement.
“And then, of course, there are people who do neither,” Kennedy added. “What this shows is just the reality that we have a significant issue in our community.”
The organization assisted 4,322 individuals during its most recent fiscal year and provided 14,760 overnight stays to people seeking shelter and protection.
The project has secured approximately $30.7 million in philanthropic funding to support construction of the new facility.
Developers broke ground on the project in November, and the DVRC is continuing to raise the remaining $714,000 needed to complete the development.
If construction progresses as planned, the shelter is expected to open in June 2027.
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Members of the Reno City Council expressed support for the project following Kennedy’s presentation, noting the growing need for resources to support survivors of domestic violence.
Meghan Ebert highlighted the seriousness of the issue during the discussion.
“To see that there’s this many cases of domestic violence is really sobering and so difficult to hear,” said Councilwoman Meghan Ebert. “It’s wonderful to hear there’s the expansion of beds, but we’re still so far behind in the needs for the community.”
Advocates say the new center will provide more than just temporary housing. By integrating counseling, job training and financial services under one roof, the facility is intended to help survivors achieve long-term stability.
Supporters also emphasize that increasing shelter capacity is critical as communities across the United States confront rising domestic violence reports and a shortage of emergency housing for victims.
Once completed, the Reno shelter is expected to become one of the largest facilities of its kind in the region, providing expanded safety, privacy and recovery resources for survivors seeking protection and support.
Originally reported by April Corbin Girnus in Nevada Current.
