Homelessness Needs More Attention and Resources

The Challenge: Homelessness is visible in Las Vegas and Reno, families with children are living in weekly motels and RV parks, and homeless services are lacking. What do Nevadans think? Contributors, including a notable number who have themselves experienced homelessness, described the reality of housing instability and homelessness as immediate and visible across communities. One contributor wrote: "Having been homeless myself, it seems their answers to the problem are always more laws and jails and harassment. We need help." Many people pointed to the human toll and gaps in support systems. One contributor wrote: "Families with school age children live in RV parks and motels. It is difficult to watch the school bus pick up and drop off kids there. Many veterans on the streets fought for this country, only to suffer frostbite and amputation from below freezing winter temps." In rural areas, challenges are compounded, as one noted: "These towns are getting bigger with no homeless shelters and no hope for housing choice vouchers." Another added: "I see people all the time that are homeless with their pets; there needs to be places where these people can go and get the help that they need along with the pets that is probably the only thing they have left." Across responses, participants highlighted a system that is overwhelmed, under-resourced, and failing to meet basic needs.