Weather shelter changes planned

Art Nadler

Thursday, Jan. 29, 1998 | 10:16 a.m.

St. Vincent's Plaza has agreed to provide two more portable toilets, bringing the number to four, for as many as 125 men living in its temporary weather shelter.

The shelter, at the corner of Las Vegas Boulevard North and Owens Avenue, has no bathroom facilities, running water or ventilation.

Frank Richo, director of residential services at St. Vincent's, said he hopes to open another winter shelter next week to house 100 men. He said it will have running water inside.

"A new shelter is also under construction and should be finished in May," Richo said. "It will house 280 men and have running water, beds and showers."

Advocates from the Southern Nevada Homeless Coalition and Franciscan monk Brother David had been conducting a vigil in a vacant lot near the weather shelter since Sunday to protest what they felt were poor living conditions. The vigil ended Tuesday at 4:30 p.m.

"I'm satisfied that there are some changes being made," said Terry Whitaker of the Southern Nevada Homeless Coalition. "I won't be totally satisfied until we don't have people dying in the streets. We can do a lot better (to help the homeless). And morally, we can do a lot better."

Whitaker said he is not blaming St. Vincent's and other homeless shelters throughout Clark County. He said homelessness is a community problem that needs more attention and an organized effort to end it.

In response to criticism from some homeless individuals being asked to pay $3 a night for food and lodging at one St. Vincent shelter, Richo said men in that program are working and want to improve their lives.

Until the new shelter opens in May, Richo said homeless individuals should talk to him if they have concerns. He added that the weather shelter is only a temporary fix.

St. Vincent's offers a work program in which homeless men are sent to job interviews. They are provided room and board, for a fee, until they get back on their feet. There are currently 296 people in this program, Richo said.

"Come in and work with us," Richo said. "I don't want to promote homelessness. I want to be able to reach those people who want to work."