Point in Time counts homeless in Churchill County

According to Shannon Ernst, Churchill County Social Services director, the lack of affordable housing is now the leading cause of homelessness in the county. Each year, the Social Services, in partnership with the United States  Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) conducts a one-day homeless count in January. The PIT count is a Point in Time count, and is conducted in a single 24-hour period. Local law enforcement assists Social Services in observing homeless individuals in the area which provides a snap-shot of the area’s homeless situation at that point in time.  

The PIT count is by no means comprehensive as it is only includes individuals observed on the day of count. Additionally, the count takes place in January, which isn’t a time that is truly representative of the area homeless population. The 2019 PIT report observed the following:

Street Count: 7 individuals identified on the street or in an encampment

Emergency Shelters: 12 individuals 

Motel Count: 47 people were residing in motels due the lack of affordable housing in the area.

School Count: 93 homeless minors were counted, including; 16 in hotels, 64 temporarily living with relatives or friends, and 13 unsheltered.

January is probably the worst time to conduct a homeless count in Northern Nevada as the winters are not conducive to living on the streets or in an encampment. At the time of the count, three encampments were included.

HUD is due to release the full statewide report in November which will provide more comprehensive information on the county and Nevada a whole. The 2018 PIT data reported that Nevada is among four states, incidentally all western states, where more than half of all people experiencing homelessness were found in unsheltered locations.

Over 50% of Churchill County’s homeless population is comprised of families, with several reporting being homeless for the first time. In 2003, most unsheltered individuals in the area were single mothers, victims of domestic violence or had substance abuse problems. Since the major economic downturn in 2008, Social Services accounts job loss, underemployment, and housing challenges as the largest contributing factors to the current homeless situation.

According to Ernst, “One of the primary functions of Churchill County Social Services is to secure permanent housing for homeless families and individuals.” Along with placement, Social Services also provides case management that helps clients develop a budget, address various issues they may be facing, and provide referral agencies for those with concurring issues like mental illness, medical conditions, and substance abuse. They also work with clients to address issues that may have contributed to the loss of their housing. They provide budgeting classes, life skills course, and assistance with childcare along with other beneficial services. “The goal is for them to be successful and not become homeless again,” explains Ernst. 

At present there is little that can be done to remedy the number of homeless families seeking shelter. Housing costs continue to rise with the median house price hovering above $440,000 in Washoe County. Fallon has virtually no available low to moderately priced rental homes and asking prices to purchase homes continue to escalate.