Decision on temporary shelter delayed

Diana Sahagun

Thursday, Sept. 6, 2001 | 10:44 a.m.

City leaders Wednesday blamed Clark County for the lack of services and shelters available for the homeless and postponed a request by its leaders to help fund a temporary shelter for men at MASH Village.

The council Wednesday delayed the county's request to allocate $191,403 to open the shelter until after the members attend an all-day homeless summit Sept. 13 at the Golden Nugget. The goal of the summit is for leaders from around the Las Vegas Valley to reach an agreement about how to attack the homeless problem and find a solution on a regional level.

Council members expressed their frustration Wednesday that the city has carried the burden of providing homeless services for years, as all the shelters are in the city. Homeless men and advocates held an all-night vigil on the steps of City Hall Tuesday night, hoping the council would allocate the funding.

Councilman Gary Reese said the homeless problem hasn't gotten any better since he was elected in 1995, and advocates keep asking the city for more money. He said the city's coffers are stretched to the max.

"Enough is enough," Reese said. "I'm not giving anymore."

Earlier this month, County Commissioner Erin Kenny challenged the county's five incorporated cities to match funding offered by the county to open temporary shelter at MASH Village. The city's share, based on its homeless population, was $191,403.

Deputy City Manager Steven Houchens said while the city has been carrying the burden, the county, per Nevada code, is charged with the responsibility for providing indigent care.

Houchens said the county receives money annually from valley taxpayers to help fund services for the poor. Houchens said last year the county received $31 million in taxes that went into a special fund to provide indigent care. Half of the revenue was generated by residents from the cities of Las Vegas, Henderson, Boulder City, Mesquite, and North Las Vegas. County residents paid about $18 million into the special fund, he said.

Houchens said the county has spent a majority of the funds to run University Medical Center, which provides health care to the poor.