LAS VEGAS (KLAS) – The City of Las Vegas released statistics, showing a rise in services accessed by the valley’s homeless population.
City officials shared a video of outreach groups hitting the streets to help those in need.
“When you’re ready,” outreach team member Leslie Ann Ferrell said to someone currently unhoused. “One day you are going to give me a call.”
Ferrell is part of the Multi-Agency Outreach Resource Engagement Team (MORE) which works with local law enforcement to offer resources.
“You could do your own thing, but I say give it a try,” Ferrell said to another person. “What would it hurt? We’re right here.”
According to city officials, in 2023, nearly 12,000 services were accessed at The Courtyard Homeless Resource Center, including showers, medical care, and employment assistance.
Homelessness also hit a 10-year high in Nevada, with 7,906 living on the street. Census numbers also show a 20% increase in those unhoused in one year.
Las Vegas City Councilwoman Victoria Seaman and Former Congresswoman Shelley Berkley touched on homelessness during this week’s mayoral debate on 8 News Now.
“Homelessness has no boundaries,” Seaman said. “And the city has been dealing with it, the shelter, the corridor.”
Each shared her stance on the city’s current camping ban and a proposal to expand it, which would allow a judge to call for 10 days in jail or rehabilitation after two convictions.
“I don’t think homelessness should be criminalized,” Berkley said. “I think it is a humanitarian issue.”
“The purpose is to give them that opportunity to get services,” Seaman countered, supporting the ban. “To get services over at the corridor.”
Those pounding the pavement called it crucial work to turn things around one person at a time.
“It’s important to me,” Ferrell said. “To make other people feel heard.”
The City of Las Vegas allocates over $11 million a year to operate The Courtyard Homeless Resource Center and another $5.3 million for the Recuperative Care Center.
Clark County commissioners are also considering a similar ordinance to crack down on people sleeping in homeless encampments.
This comes after the U.S. Supreme Court vowed to back camping bans in cities across the country earlier this year.
