Nevada man ordered to move out of renovated mine shaft home – Thehour.com

Published 9:15am EST, Friday, January 3, 2020

LAS VEGAS (AP) A Nevada man who has lived in an abandoned mine shaft for seven years has been given 30 days to vacate his renovated, underground home.

Boulder City police delivered the eviction notice to Richard Roman Dec. 19, The Las Vegas Review-Journal reported Thursday.

City officials determined Roman, 68, was violating four city codes and two state laws and raising numerous health and safety concerns.

The mine is near U.S. Highway 93 in an undeveloped area of the city 26 miles (42 kilometers) southeast of Las Vegas.

Roman installed two swinging doors at the entrance of the mine shaft extending horizontally about 20 feet (6 meters) into a rocky ridge. The shaft leads to a cavern living area of about 160 square feet (15 square meters).

Roman has a customized mattress that fits into an elevated corner and an fan salvaged from a scrapped vehicle that maintains the temperature at 85 degrees (29 degrees Celsius) in the summer.

There is also a $2,000 solar panel that powers several LED lights and batteries, while the floor of the cavern is covered with a discarded carpet from a casino.

Members of poor and homeless advocacy group HELP of Southern Nevada accompanied Boulder City Police Sgt. Craig Tomao and Officer Guy Leidkie to meet with Roman.

HELP took Roman to look at several apartments where he qualifies for housing assistance, City Manager Al Noyola said in an email to the mayor and city council.

Mr. Roman understood the health and safety concerns, and confirmed that he will be leaving the site within 30 days," Noyola wrote, adding that HELP and the police showed expediency and empathy in addressing Roman's housing situation.

Roman said in a text that he was looking for housing in Las Vegas and was ready to move forward and make this a good year.

Read more:
Nevada man ordered to move out of renovated mine shaft home - Thehour.com