Housing and Health Care Top Community Needs

Finding an affordable place to live, getting to a medical specialist in Reno, finding child care outside traditional working hours, or helping an aging family member remain at home are among the challenges identified in Churchill County’s latest community needs assessment.

The Churchill County Social Services Advisory Committee approved the Community Action Plan containing the assessment as submitted during its Aug. 10 meeting.

The assessment is used to identify and prioritize the needs of lower-income residents and help Social Services plan programs and partnerships to address those needs.

Housing showed up in several forms. The assessment identified a need for more affordable housing for working- and middle-class residents, as well as additional low-income housing for people experiencing housing instability or homelessness. Nevada Rural Housing, the Nevada Housing Division, the City of Fallon, and other organizations are identified as partners working to address housing needs.

Access to health care was another concern. The assessment identified a need for additional primary care providers and more specialty care available locally, including cardiology, endocrinology, neurology, oncology, and pediatric services. Access to behavioral health and substance use counseling was also identified as a need.

For residents who must leave the area for services, transportation remains an issue. The assessment calls for expanded countywide transportation, including additional hours of operation, more buses, and a wider service area. It also identifies a need for more frequent transportation to Reno and Carson City for medical appointments, shopping, college, and other services.

Older residents face their own challenges. The assessment identifies a need for more in-home health care for those unable to leave their homes and additional senior housing with different levels of care, including independent living, assisted living, and memory care. Lack of funding was identified as a barrier to expanding services for homebound residents.

Child care also made the list, particularly for families working nights, weekends, or other nontraditional hours. Other identified needs include affordable utilities, transportation for work and shopping, affordable health insurance and access to care, GED opportunities, budgeting assistance, legal services, and employment opportunities.

The assessment will serve as a guide for Social Services as it works with local and state partners to address the needs identified in the plan.