Churchill County Commissioners approved three projects last week that will support efforts to serve the homeless population in the county.
First, commissioners ratified an agreement with the Nevada Housing Division for $20,500 to provide Continuum of Care coordination and rental of an apartment for individuals who are “literally” homeless.
Social Services Director Shannon Ernst said there had been regulations in place since 2003 that require people to have income to access homeless services, whether that is disability, unemployment, etc. “They have to be a resident, and they come in, and we wrap services around them to help them become stabilized and become contributing members to the community,” she said.
County Manager Jim Barbee clarified that homeless services are focused on transitioning people experiencing homelessness to become housed and not a shelter program. “We work to get people from homeless to productive,” he said.
Commission Chairman Bus Scharmann asked, “Do you run into people who prefer living homeless?”
Ernst explained that does happen. “There are individuals who do not want to be housed. They may need support to be safe, but it is a choice. It is not illegal to be homeless.” She said the goal of her department is to work with individuals to build confidence so people want to be housed and want employment. “We have several who are ‘chronically homeless’ who don’t understand being in a house is safe. We have one man we’ve worked with for seven years who has been housed three times.”
Second, commissioners approved an agreement between Social Services and the State of Nevada Department of Public and Behavioral Health in the amount of $1.6 million to purchase and modify the building at 690 S. Maine Street, the previous location of the Blue Sky Thrift Shop, for the creation of the Health and Human Services Facility. “We have been working on a health and human services facility since November of 2021 to work with the state to develop an overall health space,” said Ernst.
Third, commissioners approved an agreement with the Nevada Housing Division, Department of Business and Industries for $1,743,500 to support creating the New Pass House and Day Center for Homeless Services, to be located at 165 N. Ada, where the District Attorney’s office is currently located. After the DA moves to its new facility in the old CC Communications building, this funding will be used to create apartments and a day center.
“We have homeless wandering the streets trying to get into places, they need showers, they need to access laundry services, and need a warm meal,” said Ernst. “Some have severe mental illness. We would like to create a quiet space and create crisis intervention, and this creates one place to access services.”
The funding will be used to remodel, modify, and furnish the center.
Scharmann said, “These people who are housed in this facility would be looking to better themselves.”
“Correct,” said Ernst, “however, the day center will be open to anyone who needs services. The goal is to build relationships and get people to where they want to better themselves. It takes an average of five years to build these relationships, and this will allow that space, not in the county admin building, but a place people can come and get assistance.” She said a case manager and community health worker will be staffing the facility.
Commissioner Justin Heath said people should not be camping out in the parking lot.
Ernst said security and cameras will be installed as part of the facility.
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