“Seek the welfare of the city… for in its welfare you will find your welfare.” — Jeremiah 29:7

During a recent meeting of the Nevada Legislature’s Interim Commerce and Labor Committee, lawmakers heard testimony on property ownership and the growing challenge of wildfire risk. One concern raised was the increasing number of homeowners insurance cancellations and non-renewals, not only in high-risk mountain communities, but even in places like Pahrump.

Homeownership doesn’t end when you receive the keys. For a growing number of Nevadans, keeping homeowners insurance is becoming another major challenge.

A recent report from The Nevada Independent found that Washoe County has experienced a sharp increase in homeowners insurance cancellations and non-renewals as insurers respond to increasing wildfire risk. Even homeowners who have invested in defensible space and other fire mitigation efforts are finding it more difficult to obtain or keep affordable coverage.

When insurance becomes unaffordable, or unavailable, the consequences extend beyond individual homeowners. It affects families, neighborhoods, housing affordability, local economies, and the long-term stability of our communities.

As people of faith, we believe everyone deserves a safe place to call home. Loving our neighbors means supporting policies that strengthen community resilience, reduce wildfire risk, promote responsible stewardship of our public lands, and help ensure families can access affordable homeowners insurance.

Housing justice is about more than building homes. It’s also about making sure people can afford to stay in them.