Churchill County has awarded a renovation and construction contract to PEC Contracting and Engineering for a new transitional and permanent supportive housing and day-use center in Fallon. The agreement, funded through a grant from the Nevada Housing Division, Department of Business and Industry, was announced at the commissioners’ Nov. 19 meeting.
The project began taking shape in August 2023, when commissioners unanimously approved an agreement for $1,743,500 to create the New Pass House and Day Center for Homeless Services. Originally planned for 165 N. Ada Street, the location was later shifted to four existing buildings at 280, 282, 290, and 292 Quail Way. These buildings will house a women’s and family unit with three rooms, a day center, a manager’s unit, and a men’s unit with four rooms. Details on the project were released in September in the county’s invitation to bid.
Plans call for a new ADA-compliant ramp, updated bathrooms and kitchens, new washing machines and dryers, and other upgrades. Altogether, the buildings include seven bedrooms that can temporarily house individuals or families with construction set to begin at the end of Dec. As the lowest responsive bidder, PEC submitted a total bid for $864,443, which includes $100,000 in contingency funds to cover unforeseen issues that arise during construction. “This is not a lump sum contract,” said Churchill County Manager Chris Spross, who explained that the contingency funds will not be spent if they are not needed.
The Day Center will include a case manager and a community health worker, a warming kitchen, laundry and showers. “The goal is to expand to allow for counseling services and other medical services as providers are available,” said Ernst. Churchill County Social Services staff will work with residents to help them move toward stable, long-term housing and the ability to support themselves. Day center services, open to anyone, will offer showers, laundry facilities, and warm meals. Hours of operation have not yet been determined.
Ernst said during the meeting that she is encouraged by ongoing funding opportunities for Churchill County’s new center and other similar efforts statewide. Commissioners viewed a presentation by CSH Housing Solutions on the possibility of the county becoming a Medicaid-billable entity. Should this occur, the county may be able to seek reimbursement for client services provided to Medicaid recipients, and potentially offset some of the staffing costs.
Churchill County has managed transitional housing programs for more than 20 years. Its Rapid
Rehousing program requires participants to meet certain conditions, such as documented income, a background check, drug-free living, and completion of required classes. Overall, people who receive assistance are expected to work toward financial independence.
This year, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development opened a new application window for programs that fund housing and support services. Michelle Fuller-Hallauer, CEO of Winged Wolf Innovations, a nonprofit that coordinates the Rural Nevada Continuum of Care, said HUD and Winged Wolf have in recent years encouraged a “housing first” strategy. That approach calls for providing stable shelter before addressing other challenges such as addiction or unemployment. Pastor Dawn Blundell, director of the Wolf Center, supports the approach and said, “based on the work of friends and colleagues, ‘housing first’ seems more effective in combating homelessness.”
Fuller-Hallauer also noted that HUD policy under the current administration is now more closely aligned with Churchill County’s preferred, historical approach. Because of this, she believes a funding application from Churchill County may score better now than in past years.
The center is expected to open in mid-2026. Commissioner Eric Blakey said he is optimistic that the New Pass House and Day Center will help many people get back on their feet.
Currently, services for those in need are available in Churchill County, but they are limited and spread across multiple locations. Much of the work relies on volunteers and short operating hours. For example, on Mondays and Tuesdays, people can drop in at the Wolf Center at 457 Esmeralda Street for food, showers, and laundry between 9 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. On Mondays, a Department of Welfare and Social Services worker is also on site to help with SNAP or Medicaid sign-ups. Additionally, community health workers can help with job searches, new cell phones, or information about where to find free meals or groceries. The Fallon Paiute-Shoshone Tribe and New Frontier provide counseling, case management, and support for crime victims or people seeking addiction treatment, depending on intake evaluations.
The proposed New Pass House and Day Center would bring many of these services together in one place with on-site staff, making them easier to access for those who need them.
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