Regional planners study homelessness

The problem of homelessness in the Las Vegas Valley needs to be addressed on a regional level.

At least that is the consensus of the newly formed Southern Nevada Regional Planning Coalition.

Homelessness was the first major community issue the group took up. The decision was prompted by concerns expressed by North Las Vegas City Councilwoman Stephanie Smith.

In past weeks, she has complained about Las Vegas having four major homeless shelters next to its border with North Las Vegas. Mayor Mike Montandon has said homeless people are having a negative impact on his city's image and are causing problems when they sleep in city parks at night.

But at Thursday's coalition meeting, Smith was more diplomatic.

"I just think we need to study the issue more. We need to find out the facts. We need to find out where these shelters need to be placed. ... Henderson does not have a shelter. There may be a real need for one there."

The planning coalition consists of representatives from Henderson, Las Vegas, Clark County, North Las Vegas and Boulder City. Representatives of those communities will meet in a special subcommittee to discuss how to better address the homeless problem.

Las Vegas City Councilman Larry Brown said it is not fair to look at homelessness as just being a problem on the Las Vegas/North Las Vegas border.

"Homelessness is a valley-wide problem and has to be addressed that way, he said. "A lot of the people when they think about flooding consider the Charleston underpass. But flood control is a valley-wide issue. People think about that area of Las Vegas when they think of homelessness. But those people are coming from someplace."

Marlene Richter, director of social services for Catholic Charities, said she is hopeful that the committee will work with social service providers in developing strategies to deal with the homeless.

"People are surprised when they hear that there are not enough shelter beds," she said. "Look at how much Las Vegas has grown. What do they expect? This community doesn't even have enough classrooms to accommodate its students. The homeless population is growing right along with the rest of the population."

Franciscan Brother David Buer, of the Southern Nevada Homeless Coalition, said he is hopeful that the planning coalition will help resolve some of the problems facing the homeless.

"I think it is very encouraging that they are going to approach this from a regional level. I certainly hope they are going to work with the homeless coalition in dealing with this issue."

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