Editorial: Shelter OK is right call for the area

Tuesday, Feb. 2, 1999 | 11:29 a.m.

The Las Vegas Planning Commission did the right thing last week when it gave its unanimous blessing to a MASH Village expansion plan, which will provide more shelter for the valley's homeless. Despite the demonstrated need for more services, North Las Vegas officials oppose the proposal.

They are upset that the valley's homeless shelters -- while located in Las Vegas -- are short walking distances from North Las Vegas. During the day many homeless loiter in the streets of North Las Vegas, contributing to what North Las Vegas politicians contend is a negative image for that city.

So North Las Vegas officials want the Las Vegas City Council, which has the final say, to postpone a decision on the MASH expansion. Since homelessness is a valleywide issue, these North Las Vegas officials add, this plan should be shelved until the Southern Nevada Regional Planning Coalition addresses the homeless issue on a regional basis.

But North Las Vegas isn't dealing with reality. Homelessness isn't going to go away, and the valley doesn't have the luxury of waiting any longer. The MASH Village expansion will help the situation, not make it worse. The new four-story building, which also will contain a medical and dental facility, will house about 280 people, mainly families with children and single women.

Do we want more families, including children, living out of cars? It makes more sense for these families to have a place to stay until they can get back on their feet. Rather than belly-aching, North Las Vegas should be grateful that another city is taking the lead, especially since the Salvation Army estimates that more than half the people it cares for are from North Las Vegas.

There is nothing wrong with an areawide dialogue on this issue. But a dialogue doesn't mean that services for the homeless should come to a standstill while politicians bicker over what to do. The Las Vegas City Council should accept the Planning Commission's recommendation and approve the MASH Village project.