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Council plans debate on homeless issues

Thursday, April 4, 2002 | 9:27 a.m.

As homeless issues have continued to plague Las Vegas, the City Council this month is scheduled to make some decisions that could affect the way services are delivered to the poor.

Council members will decide April 17 how to proceed with the loss of the city's main homeless shelter -- MASH Village -- whose founder announced last week that it would pull out of Las Vegas in six months.

Because MASH Village is located on city-owned land, the council must decide whether to find a new operator or shut the site.

City Manager Virginia Valentine said the council will discuss the physical condition of the property, the existing programs, necessary financial obligations, and craft a bare-bones request for proposals for a new operator.

Mayor Oscar Goodman requested that the council also discuss hiring a homeless coordinator to act as a liaison between the city and service providers and to help find solutions to the growing problem. Goodman said the staff person could be a new hire or an existing staff member.

"I think we really need to step up and take the lead on this," he said.

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