The HELP USA exhibit will be on display at The Art of Peter Max Gallery through the fourth of July

09:39AM on June 25 2009

LAS VEGAS, NV--  Artist Peter Max has teamed up with the national non-profit organization, HELP USA, to raise funds to support U.S. veterans this Memorial Day. On Sunday, May 24 Peter Max will present HELP USA with a one-of-a-kind original artwork to support the organization's newest initiative in Las Vegas and will install a special veterans exhibit at the Art of Peter Max Gallery inside the Caesars Palace Forum Shops in Las Vegas, Nev.

To raise funds to support the organization's effort to provide transitional, permanent and affordable supportive housing to U.S. veterans, Max has announced a patriotic fundraising initiative. Beginning Memorial Day through the fourth of July, a portion of the proceeds from the sale of select Peter Max patriotic paintings will directly benefit HELP USA. For more information please visit The Art of Peter Max Gallery or call (702) 644-7070.

The HELP Renaissance Apartments are the most advanced phase in HELP USA's continuum to provide affordable housing to homeless, veteran and low-income working families in Southern Nevada. The new apartment complex will focus on providing permanent, affordable housing for individuals and families earning less than 50 percent of the Area Median Income (AMI) with a portion of units dedicated to persons earning less than 30 percent AMI. In addition, approximately 30 percent of the apartments will be reserved for households with special needs, particularly disabled, formerly homeless war veterans, many who have already completed HELP USA's continuum of supportive housing.

The gated community offers 50 efficiency, one- and two-bedroom apartments ranging from 327 to 727 square-feet. Each apartment features a full kitchen, full bathroom, central heating and air conditioning and amenities to include 24-hour live security, 24-hour property maintenance, access to a fitness center, community recreation center, computer center with Internet, laundry facility, on-site parking and an outdoor playground and picnic area.

"HELP USA LAS VEGAS has been making great strides in the Southern Nevada community over the past ten years," said Maria Cuomo Cole, HELP USA chairperson. "HELP USA's continuum has come full circle, providing a series of integrated housing facilities designed to help a variety of individuals, whether they are individuals coming from an emergency shelter, war veterans with special needs, or low-income working families. Our fourth housing model is a crucial component for our Las Vegas continuum and is a permanent affordable housing model for self-sufficient, working individuals and families."

Rental units begin at $558 per month including utilities, and a number of government-funded grants, including section eight vouchers, are currently being accepted. The $9.7 million development, funded through Low Income Housing Tax Credits and Tax Exempt Bond Financing, was developed and constructed and will be managed by HELP USA LAS VEGAS.

Since its establishment in 1999, HELP USA LAS VEGAS has developed a continuum of four residential properties in the Las Vegas area with a total of 320 units, prioritizing the development of affordable housing options for homeless, low-income, working adults and special needs populations. The housing models range from short-term emergency housing, to permanent housing, creating the next step in independent living for veterans, to affordable housing for working families and households. HELP USA also works with each tenant to provide a broad spectrum of critical services to promote healthy, independent living. Services and resources include alcohol and drug dependence treatment, full medical and dental services, vocational rehabilitation assistance, comprehensive mental health services and readjustment counseling. Food and nutritional services, computer classes, job skills training, money management training and housing stability and training workshops are also offered through collaborations with community partners including the College of Southern Nevada, Nevada Health Services, Wells Fargo Bank, Seven Seas Incorporated, Desert Pine Golf Club, the Silver Nugget Casino, Amalgamated Bank and Consumer Credit.

About HELP USA

Founded in 1986, HELP USA has grown to become one of the largest builders and operators of service-enriched, transitional and low-income permanent housing in the nation. With programs in Philadelphia, Houston, Buffalo, the New York Metropolitan area, and Las Vegas, HELP USA has developed more than 2,100 units of housing across the country with 30 residential projects across the nation. For the past 20 years HELP USA has provided homes, jobs and social services for more than 200,000 men, women and children and continues to pursue opportunities to help those in need. For more information on HELP USA, please visit www.helpusa.org.