Homeless program was a success

Thursday, March 21, 1996 | 11:59 a.m.

LAST winter was the most successful in years in terms of helping the homeless.

Nearly 2,000 homeless men managed to escape the winter's cold by paying $5 a night at the Las Vegas Valley Emergency Weather Shelter. The public-private partnership proved that this community cares enough about others to provide for their basic needs.

The shelter, located inside the St. Vincent Plaza on Las Vegas Boulevard North, gave warmth and comfort to 1,776 men who had no place to go on those chilly nights. Another facility, the city's MASH ( Mobilized Assistance Shelter for the Homeless), is limited to caring for homeless women, children and families.

The shelters are a far cry from the situation four years ago when a man, who had no place to go, died while sleeping outdoors in the winter. That incident spurred local governments to do something.

Unfortunately, that kind of action takes time. After several false starts, a temporary shelter was found for one winter. Then came ambitious plans for the MASH unit, which was later modified into a smaller, family-only facility.

Now, the men's facility is in place, thanks to funding from local governments, volunteer groups and businesses. The shelter was in operation for 62 days last winter and residents stayed an average of eight nonconsecutive nights. Particularly gratifying was the absence of fighting and other disruptions.

Mike Dreitzer, an attorney with Nevada Legal Services, now worries about how the men will cope with the sizzling Las Vegas summers.

That may have to be addressed as part of a comprehensive approach to the homeless problem in Las Vegas. But, at least, the community is beginning to face the problem head-on to prevent any more winter tragedies.