Homeless advocate offers ideas

Adrienne Packer

Wednesday, Aug. 8, 2001 | 11:03 a.m.

James McGuinness isn't homeless anymore, but his experience has given him ideas about how the government can help people living on the streets.

Clark County officials on Tuesday lauded themselves for their significant contributions to homeless services, promoted a community task force and challenged local governments to raise enough money to reopen an emergency shelter.

McGuinness also congratulated county commissioners, but the homeless advocate questioned why an element -- one he believes to be obvious -- is being ignored in the process.

"I don't see homeless people on any of these committees," McGuinness said. "Those meetings should be held in an open box in the heat. Meet with them. Go to where they are. They are the experts."

Commissioners agreed to challenge the county and cities within the county to raise $563,000 to reopen MASH Village's emergency winter shelter for nine months. They admitted the action was a short-term solution, however.

Finding more funding and implementing programs to help mentally ill residents is a primary component in helping the homeless long-term, board members said.

Their discussion prompted a mid-meeting phone call from Gov. Kenny Guinn's office to Commissioner Erin Kenny. Kenny said the governor pledged to help the homeless and find more funding for mental health.

Commissioners hope long-term solutions would come out of a September retreat at Cashman Field for the valley's elected officials who serve on the Homeless Task Force, a subcommittee of the Southern Nevada Regional Planning Coalition.

Kenny, who will participate in the "summit," said part of their discussion will focus on whether to move the homeless corridor to a more remote site, where businesses and homeowners would not be affected.

Services are concentrated in the homeless corridor -- the area of Owens and Main Streets in Las Vegas -- so commissioners doubted shelters would be moved from the area. They also touched on Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman's suggestion that the homeless be shuttled to the old state prison in Jean.

McGuinness balked at ideas such as Goodman's, saying it is a perfect example of why the homeless should attend meetings.

McGuinness also questioned how homeless people were treated by elected officials, referring to comments about how "they" are too close to schools.

"If we talked about any other group like that, there would be lawsuits," McGuinness said.

Others who attended Tuesday's meeting were surprised to see commissioners distracted during an hour-long discussion on the homeless.

But board members listened intently to the next item, a pitch to decorate Las Vegas with strategically placed, painted fiberglass cows.

Ruth Bruland, executive director of MASH Village, said she is pleased with the county's contributions. And she disagreed with McGuinness' opinion that homeless representatives' presence at government meetings would help elected officials better understand the complex problem.

"I don't think it's necessary for someone to be physically present to understand the problems associated with poverty," Bruland said. "The dialogue I'm hearing tells me people are beginning to understand how complex the issue is. It defies a sound bite."

The bulk of the money raised for MASH would be used to install air-conditioning in the emergency shelter, which is fitted for cold weather.

Bruland said in addition to retrofitting the tent, MASH's major expenses are nearly $17,000 a month for two staff members; $12,566 a month for security guards; $4,000 a month for utilities; $2,500 a month for laundry services and $2,500 a month for outhouses.

Southern Nevada has increased the number of emergency shelter beds by 263 percent (from 561 beds to 2,037) in the past decade. Still, Bruland said she can predict when the 250-bed MASH shelter would reach its capacity if it were reopened.

"First night," she offered without hesitation.

Kenny's funding proposal suggested that each city in the county contribute an amount that reflects the number of homeless people living in the area. She doesn't agree with the contention that some cities have no homeless and therefore shouldn't have to contribute to the challenge.

"It's pretty clear ... certainly folks who are homeless go to where there are resources," Kenny said. "They come from throughout Southern Nevada."