In the early summer heat of Southern Nevada, nine protestors stood in the sun outside of the Las Vegas Realtors office calling for rent control.
The protestors were members of the Las Vegas chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), and they organized outside of the realtors’ office because the state legislature has not even introduced any substantive rent control bills in this legislative session.
“As Nevada quickly becomes one of the most unaffordable places to live in America, while wages remain stagnant, there is no sort of solid housing or rent control in particular that is being discussed at the legislative session,” Shaun Navarro, Las Vegas DSA chair, said at the protest.
Zillow reported that the current average rent as of May 2025 is $1,930, which was $2,100 in May 2024. May was the first time in 2025 that average rent dipped below its previous mark from the same month in 2024.
RentData.org reported that the market rent for a studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom apartment in Nevada in 2025 are all over $300 more per month than the market prices in 2020. Market rent for a three-bedroom apartment increased by over $500, and the fair market price increased by just under $800 for a four-bedroom in the same time period.
“We’re seeing families being kicked out of their homes, not being able to afford the rent and then having nowhere left to go,” Las Vegas DSA member Val Thomason said. “And what is our legislature doing? We already know the answer, and it’s nothing.”
The protestors said a rent stabilization bill was drafted to be introduced this legislative session, but state representatives never introduced it. The Las Vegas DSA website said the bill, reportedly titled BDR 10-513, was “one of only a few bills to not be introduced at all this session.”
Both the DSA website and the protestors said the bill was opposed by corporate powers, and unsurprisingly realtors most strongly opposed it.
‘They pour money into our state legislature and buy off our representatives’
The Nevada Realtors PAC gave over $63,000 to candidates in Nevada’s state senate and assembly elections last year, according to campaign filings to the secretary of state submitted last year. That makes the PAC the 13th largest total contributor to Nevada legislature elections last year.
Later filings from candidates who won those elections show that the Nevada Realtors PAC gave $35,000 to winners that now sit in the state legislature. Winning candidates received a combined total of $48,000 from contributors with “realtor”, “realty”, or “real estate” in their name, according to campaign finance records.
“They pour money into our state legislature and buy off our representatives that are supposed to represent us, the people in Nevada,” Navarro said. “This money shapes policy. It kills bills before they see the light of day, ensures that tenant protections never make it out of committee, and it’s why, despite months of effort from everyday people like you and me, a common sense rent stabilization bill disappeared before it was even introduced.”
‘We’ve had enough and we’re done asking politely’
Navarro announced at the protest that the Las Vegas DSA is planning to launch its own slate of candidates for the next slate of state elections in response to the legislature’s failure here. He said those candidates will not accept corporate money and will not be landlords backed by lobbyists.
“We’ve had enough and we’re done asking politely. The Las Vegas Democratic Socialists of America, in coalition with other groups, will be launching their own slate of candidates,” Navarro said, “and we’re going to target lawmakers who sold out their constituents for a check and for a donation.”
Mark Credico is an independent journalist working in Southern Nevada. He covers subjects including government accountability, homelessness, workers' unions and the environment.
