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is being done now than ever in our community's history to help the homeless. Never have all the local
governments and homeless providers come together and reached consensus on how to get people off the streets and into jobs or supportive
services." |
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Darryl Martin
Assistant County Manager
Chair, SNRPC's Committee on Homelessness |
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Southern
Nevada’s Homeless Crisis
Southern Nevada is currently spending over $25 million annually
on shelter, healthcare and other stopgap services for the homeless.
Yet we still have over 14,500 homeless men, women and children
in our valley.
Did you know that
Doing nothing costs
something
Studies in New York and Philadelphia showed that the average
person who was chronically homeless accessed over $40,000 per
year in public services. In San Diego, the costs were as high
as $200,000 over 18 months. The details of these costs can be
found at the US
Interagency Council on Homelessness website (www.ich.gov).
These same startling costs are true for Southern Nevada's chronically homeless.
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A
monthly stay in emergency shelter costs $300; the
typical stay is six months or $1,800.
One night in jail costs $106 per arrest. It would
not be unusual for four arrests and bookings to
occur per year at a cost of $424.
Emergency room visits cost an average of $3,722.
Homeless individuals average two visits per year
at $7,444 per homeless person. An average transport
by ambulance costs $214.15.
The average hospital stay is three days at an average
cost of $4,440. Those who only access healthcare
through the emergency room do not receive follow-up
care or services beyond immediate intervention,
making them more likely to return to the hospital
in the future. |
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It can happen
to anyone
Many hard-working people have become homeless because they have
lost their job or had a healthcare crisis.
Approximately, 60% of all workers work in service or retail
trade. Unfortunately for many of these workers, their income
does not allow them to meet their basic needs without government
assistance. Many can’t afford housing, health care, child
care or health insurance.
There are many faces
of homelessness
Families with children are among the fastest-growing segment
of the homeless population, according to the National Coalition
for the Homeless. 50% of the homeless in Southern Nevada are
families with children.
Of our homeless population… |
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16%
are employed but cannot afford housing.
25% of our homeless are veterans.
67% have lived in Southern Nevada for less than
a year.
73% have a high school education or higher.
31% have a disabling condition. |
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On average, each night
331 unaccompanied homeless youth are sleeping on the streets
or on friend’s couches.
In the '05-'06 school year, Clark County School District
reports that there are over 3,700 homeless children enrolled
in school.
One size does not fit all when helping the homeless
There are as many reasons for homelessness as there are homeless
individuals and families. Because of this, there are that many
differing programs needs.
Because each individual and family comes with their own unique
needs and circumstances, it is necessary to have a diverse service
delivery system that includes: |
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Aggressive
outreach to those living on the streets and/or in
shelters that would otherwise not seek assistance
Clinical assessment and referral for medical treatment
of physical and psychiatric disorders, including
substance abuse
Long term transitional residential assistance, case
management and rehabilitation
Employment assistance and linkage with available
income supports and permanent housing |
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Homelessness affects
you and you can affect homelessness
Over 14,000 of our neighbors in Southern
Nevada live on the streets, under bridges, in alleyways, in
the desert, on rooftops, in cars or in shelters... This is not acceptable.
We need to make sure that there are opportunities for everyone to be a
part of this great community and contribute. |
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