Southern Nevada Honors Civil Rights Leaders with Affordable Housing Namesakes

Two new affordable housing developments named after influential community organizers and a former housing authority leader.

Jan. 31, 2026 at 12:55am

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The Southern Nevada Regional Housing Authority has named two new affordable housing communities in honor of civil rights champions Alversa Beals, Essie Henderson, and Thomas Gholson. The Beals-Henderson Pointe and Gholson Landing developments will provide 201 new affordable apartment homes once construction is complete, serving households earning between 30% and 80% of the area median income.

Why it matters

The naming of these affordable housing communities after influential civil rights leaders and community organizers recognizes their legacies of service, activism, and expanding opportunities for underserved populations in Southern Nevada. It also highlights the role of public-private partnerships in delivering affordable housing solutions.

The details

The Beals-Henderson Pointe development, located at 5901 W. Duncan Drive, was named after community organizers Alversa Beals and Essie Henderson, who were influential in the landmark 1970 Storming Caesars Palace protest that challenged discriminatory hiring practices. The Gholson Landing development, located at 2601 Sunrise Ave., was named after Thomas Gholson, a former deputy executive director of the Las Vegas Housing Authority who dedicated his career to expanding opportunity through community-centered programs.

  • The Southern Nevada Regional Housing Authority approved the naming of the communities during their January 15, 2026 board meeting.
  • Beals-Henderson Pointe is slated to finish construction in April 2026.
  • Gholson Landing is expected to be completed in July 2026.

The players

Southern Nevada Regional Housing Authority

The organization responsible for providing safe and affordable housing in Southern Nevada, and which approved the naming of the two new affordable housing developments.

Alversa Beals

A community organizer and civil rights champion who helped shape opportunities for Black families in Southern Nevada, including through her involvement in the landmark 1970 Storming Caesars Palace protest.

Essie Henderson

A community organizer and civil rights champion who helped shape opportunities for Black families in Southern Nevada, including through her involvement in the landmark 1970 Storming Caesars Palace protest.

Thomas Gholson

A former deputy executive director of the Las Vegas Housing Authority who dedicated his career to expanding opportunity through community-centered programs, and who himself lived in public housing.

The Michaels Organization

A national residential real estate firm that partnered with the Southern Nevada Regional Housing Authority on the two affordable housing developments.

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What they’re saying

“The mission of the Southern Nevada Regional Housing Authority is to provide safe and affordable housing that fosters independence, self-sufficiency, and community pride. The renaming of these communities honors individuals whose leadership and service have made a lasting impact on housing and community development in Southern Nevada.”

— Lewis Jordan, Executive Director, Southern Nevada Regional Housing Authority

What’s next

A ribbon-cutting ceremony for both the Beals-Henderson Pointe and Gholson Landing communities will be held in the near future.

The takeaway

The naming of these affordable housing developments after influential civil rights leaders and community organizers underscores the importance of honoring the legacies of those who have fought for housing equality and expanded opportunities for underserved populations in Southern Nevada.