Question of the Day - 17 December 2017

Most people are certainly aware how large and complex an issue homelessness is. Here, we can take a mere stab at summing up the situation in Las Vegas.

According to a 2016 Housing and Urban Development report, over the last several years, Las Vegas has ranked among the 10 major U.S. cities with the worst homeless problem — defined by the percentage (60%) of homeless people living “unsheltered,” meaning on the street, in encampments, cars, and tunnels, and other places not meant for human habitation.

The county is required to complete an annual census of homeless, which is part of a national tally, to receive federal grants for homeless programs. More than 200 volunteers help county and city social workers conduct the census.

And though the annual "Southern Nevada Homeless Census and Survey Comprehensive Report" shows that the total number of homeless people has decreased from the highs of recent years (7,443 in 2014 and 7,509 in 2015), this year's 6,490 went up slightly from last year’s count of 6,208. Even so, the situation is somewhat improved over the worst of it during the recession — 9,532, for example, in 2011.

Also according to the 2017 Census, more than 24,900 Southern Nevadans, including families with children, couples, and individuals of all ages, will experience homelessness at some point this year. The majority of these people are locals: About 77% of people surveyed were living here at the time they lost their housing, while 50% reported that they were experiencing homelessness for the first time.

The good news is that statistics indicate most will find a home in less than a year. The bad news is, on the streets, they’re easy targets for criminals.

Causes of homelessness vary, of course, by age and gender. Homeless individuals under the age of 24 account for nearly a third of the current homeless population; they were either kicked out of their houses (primarily for financial reasons) or are escaping physical and/or emotional abuse. Domestic abuse is also the leading cause of homelessness among women, including those with children. Especially tragic: Nearly three-quarters of those surveyed were experiencing one or more disabling physical conditions, mental illness or depression, addiction, or Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.

Only around 6% of the homeless population are categorized as “chronically” homeless, defined as having a diagnosed mental and/or physical disability, in addition to being homeless for at least one year or having at least four episodes of homelessness within the past three years where those occasions cumulatively total at least 12 months. Even though the national average is 15%, in Vegas, 6% still adds up to nearly 400 people on the street who have little hope of ever getting off of it.

Perhaps the most serious problem faced by any homeless person is the lack of affordable housing.

According to the 2017 Census, up to 20% of respondents were still holding down jobs, but simply couldn’t find an affordable place to live. Some owned houses that were foreclosed, while others were evicted from rentals. A few were the result of divorce. It’s a deepening hole that becomes more and more difficult to climb out of.

To add insult to injury, Nevada has one of the worst shortages of affordable and available rental homes of all 50 states. Only 15 affordable rental units are available for every 100 extremely low-income households. The shortage is greater in Las Vegas, with only 12 affordable units available for every 100 households. The national average is 35.6.

So, what are the city and county doing about this obviously serious and heartbreaking problem?

A number of government agencies, non-profit and faith-based organizations, and corporate sponsors all work together to provide homeless prevention and assistance programs in southern Nevada, such as: emergency shelter, housing, and rental assistance; help for the poor, less fortunate, and victims of domestic violence; life-skills training, career counseling, and information on and access to government subsidized housing; and rental assistance, utility assistance, bus passes, food and clothing vouchers, hygiene products, referrals to other services, and case management.

These groups include the Nevada Homeless Alliance, Help Hope Home, St. Vincent's HELP Apartments, HELP of Southern Nevada, Nevada Community Associates, Lutheran Social Services of Nevada, the Division of Emergency Resource Services, the Division of Homeless Services, Safe Nest for Women, Southern Nevada Children First, Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada, Las Vegas Rescue Mission, Southern Nevada Adult Mental Health Services, St. Jude’s Ranch for Children, Shade Tree, The Salvation Army of Southern Nevada, U.S. Vets-Las Vegas, WestCare, and Nevada Women’s Development Center. 

Six of these groups run emergency shelters and meal programs: NV Partnership for Homeless Youth (teens), Salvation Army (men/women), Catholic Charities (men), Rescue Mission (families), Shade Tree (women/children), and WestCare (for sobriety).

In addition, at least two master plans have been created to coordinate the various services and organizations: “Homeless Strategy 2015,” a homeless advisory committee of 31 businesses, organizations, law-enforcement and government agencies, banks, hospitals, and providers; and Homeless Connect 365 Courtyard, a one-stop shop for housing, employment, and medical services within the Corridor of Hope, a.k.a. the Homeless Corridor, referred to in this question.  

In the end, we can’t help shaking our heads a little over two ironies in this whole sad situation: that 1) any number of public and private services for the homeless dead-end against the lack of affordable housing in Las Vegas; and 2) out of 148 major metropolitan areas in the U.S., Las Vegas has the 35^th highest percentage of vacant homes, nearly 15,000 and 2.17% of all properties. Up nearly 500 houses from 2016, that’s a major related issue for another day.