FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, December 21,  2005

Contact: Regina " Gina" A. Olivares, Public Information Officer
Phone: (702) 455-3531
Cell: (702) 236-3692
E-mail: gina@co.clark.nv.us

 

Homeless Continuum of Care Receives $5.4 Million
HUD Grants Full Amount Second Consecutive Year

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development today awarded Southern Nevada $5.4 million in 2005 federal homeless assistance program funds for Continuum of Care services for homeless individuals and families in the region.

This year’s HUD award funds nine new and existing local projects that include 107 new housing units; 51 existing beds in transitional housing for the chronically homeless, mentally ill, veterans and homeless families; and 90 existing permanent housing units for formerly homeless mentally ill individuals served through the State Division of Mental Health and Development Services and homeless veterans served through U.S. Vets.

“2005 was the year all local governments and providers united around a single plan for the homeless,” said County Manager Thom Reilly, who also chairs the Southern Nevada Regional Planning Coalition’s Committee on Homelessness.  “HUD’s award is a direct result of everyone’s hard work and collaboration to meet the needs of our homeless citizens.”

Overall, Continuum of Care funds support the operations of 540 transitional and 278 permanent housing units, and shelter and services for more than 1,285 homeless individuals every day.

“I am so pleased that the federal government recognizes our regional plan to address homelessness,” said Clark County Commissioner Myrna Williams, who is also a board member of the SNRPC.  “This grant allows us to continue to expand our efforts toward helping homeless men, women and children get off the streets and into homes of their own.”

Local recipient providers and services of this year’s HUD award are:

New Project Funding:
State of Nevada Adult Mental Health Svcs.	18 new units, permanent housing for chronics and mentally ill	$681,600	over five years
HELP Las Vegas Housing Corp II	75 new units, permanent housing for veterans	$887,342	over three years
Center for Independent Living	28 new units, transitional housing for youth and young adults	$609,062	over three years
Catholic Charities	New intensive case mgmt for 50 in transitional housing program	$265,279	over three years
Existing Project Funding:
U.S. Vets	10 permanent housing units for homeless veterans	$266,616	over two years
Salvation Army	42 transitional housing units for homeless mentally ill	$1,289,849	over three years
U.S. Vets	Intensive case management for 118 homeless veterans	$357,002	over three years
Equal Opportunity Board	9 transitional housing units for homeless families	$313,668	over three years
Southern Nevada Adult Mental Health Svcs.	80 permanent housing units for homeless mentally ill	$714,816	for one year
	TOTAL	$5,385,234

 

Las Vegas Mayor Oscar B. Goodman, a board member of the Southern Nevada Regional Planning Coalition said, “Receiving 100 percent of requested funding is a clear indication that we are on the right track with our 10-year plan to end homelessness.  Clearly, the positive relationship we have built with Philip Mangano, the Bush administration’s point person on homelessness, has helped us in these efforts to end chronic homelessness in Las Vegas.”

“This funding affirms and bolsters our partnerships with non-profits that provide much-needed services to the region’s homeless," said Las Vegas City Councilman Lawrence Weekly, also a board member of the Southern Nevada Regional Planning Coalition.

Because homelessness transcends the governmental jurisdictional boundaries of Clark County, all the local governments, non-profit service providers and agencies have worked collaboratively through the Committee on Homelessness, which was created to implement the regional collaboration and planning efforts to reduce homelessness throughout Southern Nevada.

“This award is a direct result of local governments working together on a single plan that meets the needs of homeless individuals in Southern Nevada,” said North Las Vegas Mayor Michael L. Montandon.  “HUD’s award is their recognition of our regional collaboration.”

"I’m so pleased that our region has received the full amount it requested from HUD for homeless programs and services," said Henderson Mayor James B. Gibson.  "It is especially great news that this award places an emphasis on housing the chronically homeless.” 

Last year’s award from HUD totaled an unprecedented $5,964,776 for permanent and transitional housing, job training, health care, mental health counseling, substance abuse treatment and child care services for homeless citizens in the region.

“The news of this year’s HUD grant is just in time and appropriate for this holiday season,” said Boulder City Mayor Robert Ferraro.  “This grant proves that all of the recipients provide much needed and valued services to the homeless population of the valley and are doing a great job at it.” 

 

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Editor’s Note:  For interviews with Regional Homeless Services Coordinator Shannon West, please contact Gina Olivares at 455-3531 or 236-3692.