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The
Southern Nevada Regional Planning Coalition (SNRPC)
launched the 2007 Summer Day Shelter program to give
homeless a respite from the heat after temperatures
spiked to 108 degrees.
The
day shelters operate out of Catholic Charities at 1501
Las Vegas Blvd. from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Salvation Army
at 33 W. Owens from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. They anticipate
providing 200 spaces a day respectively to homeless
citizens during the hottest time of the day. Staff at
both nonprofits will also advise homeless clients of
other available services and assistance to help them get
off the streets permanently.
Emergency
Aid of Boulder City, Inc. and Henderson Allied Community
Advocates (HACA) has also begun its summer sheltering
program.
“This
program is a crucial part of serving the homeless,”
said Shannon West, regional homeless services
coordinator. “We can get people out of the
elements so they don’t get sick from the heat, keep
them hydrated and provide easier access to social
services to help break the cycle of homelessness.”
The
day shelter is part of the Inclement Weather Shelter
Program approved by the Committee on Homelessness.
$762,956 in funds goes toward
setting up a temporary shelter to protect homeless from
extreme cold or heat.
The
National Weather Service Southern Nevada Office in
partnership with the Clark County Coroner has developed
a graduated extreme weather index based on the time of
year. This heat index serves as the threshold for
setting the opening of the Winter/Summer Shelter.
The Summer Shelter will be in effect until September and
will end when temperatures are no longer hazardous.
Anything over 105 degrees through mid-June is considered
hazardous weather.
This
year, the winter program served over 400 people a night
and referred more than 1,500 people to services to help
them transition from homelessness to self-sufficiency.
The
Southern Nevada Regional Planning Coalition also
expanded its services this year by setting up a
year-round overnight emergency shelter to house the
county’s most fragile homeless residents. Catholic
Charities of Southern Nevada is providing up to 200 beds
to homeless residents with weakened or limited mobility.
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