New homeless plan criticized

Wednesday, May 14, 2003 | 9:48 a.m.

A Las Vegas homeless rights advocacy group received a lukewarm response Tuesday from a coalition of its peers to a plan that would raise $8 million to $10 million a year from governmental entities to fight homelessness.

Southern Nevada Advocates for Homeless People President Leroy Pelton presented the group's 10-page plan to the Southern Nevada Homeless Coalition and got comments ranging from concerns it may duplicate current efforts to a sentiment that it is a fresh idea that deserves further consideration.

None of the members gave a rousing endorsement to the plan, which was unveiled to the news media last week. But coalition Chairman Gus Ramos recommended it be reviewed by a steering committee and returned to the coalition for potential endorsement.

Meanwhile, Las Vegas and Clark County officials say there is no way their already heavily stressed resources can be tapped to the extent that the plan proposes.

The Rev. Charles Bowker, Lutheran minister and coalition member, said the plan "appears to be another layer of what we have been trying to address. Although we appreciate another attempt, we have to be realistic given the current climate."

That climate includes the overwhelming defeat by voters last November of Question 11, which called for a slight property tax hike to create a trust fund for the homeless.

The plan calls for the state, Clark County and area municipalities to address homelessness as a regional issue. To that end, each entity would pony up one fifth of 1 percent of what Pelton called its "total expenditures" -- general funds plus federal dollars -- to fund the plan with $8 million to $10 million.

Pelton, a professor of social work at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, said the entities currently provide about $3 million a year for what he called "direct services for the homeless."

The plan calls for direct funding of more programs that address mental and physical needs of the homeless, the creation of a day center, more beds for existing shelters and the hiring 10 to 20 homeless outreach workers.

It is estimated that 8,000 men, women and children are homeless in Southern Nevada, including street people and those living in friends' homes, in their cars or in shelters.

Assistant County Manager Virginia Valentine said that whether all entities can devote $8 million to $10 million a year to homeless issues comes down to a matter of choices.

"There are others who would argue that the most important issues that need the additional money are health care or public safety such as more police and fire services," Valentine said.

Sharon Segerblom, the city of Las Vegas' director of neighborhood services, said the city cannot afford to triple what it currently spends to address homelessness.

"It's just not a reality," Segerblom said. "There are so many needs out there and so many groups -- the homeless are only a part of it. You have after-school care, senior issues and other needs versus a major budget crunch.