Editorial: Out from the cold

Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2004 | 8:59 a.m.

With nighttime temperatures now dropping into the low 30s, it's gratifying to see that area local governments have agreed upon a regional plan for providing homeless people with emergency shelter. The plan, which is expected to receive formal approval Thursday by the Southern Nevada Regional Planning Coalition, should end the bickering among local governments over their share of the responsibility.

The plan emphasizes coordination among all the area shelters -- before the cold weather sets in. This will replace the last-minute improvisations of the past, which left many homeless people literally out in the cold. The plan also includes funding to use motels on freezing nights if all the shelters are full. There is even a backup plan in case funding for motels runs out -- a state armory will be used to augment the shelters. No matter how much attention is directed at "affordable housing" as the answer to homelessness, there will always be a need for shelters -- and cooperative planning to keep them open.

Live chat: Tuesday, noon PST; Chat with Krista Creelman; Problem Gambling Center executive director Krista Creelman will answer questions about gambling addiction from Las Vegas Sun readers from noon to 1 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. ... Submit question