A big affordable housing project is breaking ground in Carson City. It’s a 160-unit complex called Sierra Flats. Phase one of the construction will include 40 senior housing units and 40 family units with average rental prices expected to be between $450 and $1,150. Sierra Flats is intended to serve seniors and families whose income is not more than 60% of the Carson City median gross income. Rents in northern Nevada are up 89% in the last seven years. These price increases have created a shortage of affordable housing in Nevada. The state faces a shortage of more than 84,000 affordable rental homes for those with low incomes.