City Council OKs funds to help homeless shelters

Thursday, Aug. 19, 1999 | 10:02 a.m.

The Las Vegas City Council approved funding Wednesday to help homeless people with restrooms and emergency shelters.

The city agreed to contract with Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada for a six-month period beginning Sept. 1 to open restrooms from 9 p.m. to 9 a.m. seven days a week at 1501 Las Vegas Blvd. North.

Clark County will donate $15,000 to the project, beginning March 1, 2000, for six months. North Las Vegas is expected to approve $5,000 in funding.

The City Council also approved $300,000 in city funding for four nonprofit organizations for emergency shelter services.

MASH Village received $70,000 to fund a temporary winter shelter. Last winter the tent housed 250 men from Dec. 16 to March 16.

The Salvation Army received $130,000 to operate the Day Resource Center. The center is now open 24 hours a day Monday through Saturday, providing access to showers, restrooms and laundry facilities. The funding will allow it to be open on Sundays.

Shade Tree Shelter for Women received $54,000 for operations. Shade Tree is the only emergency shelter for women and children in the area.

Catholic Charities was given $46,000 for its emergency shelter. That shelter provides 175 beds for homeless men.

Councilwoman Lynette Boggs McDonald, who serves on the Catholic Charities board, abstained from both votes.