Letter: Regional strategy brings some hope for homeless

Saturday, June 19, 2004 | 12:31 p.m.

WEEKEND EDITION

June 19 - 20, 2004

Thank you for Tim Pratt's coverage on June 16 of Nevada's first statewide conference on ending chronic homelessness. Despite some of the usual disrespectful rhetoric, there were hopeful statements.

The keynoter of the conference, Philip Mangano, director of the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness, made an important contribution to encourage a regional effort. Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman has committed to take his recommendations to the City Council. Clark County Manager Thom Reilly and the county commissioners have already brought new energy to move things along in a positive direction. Paula Haynes-Green is bringing her gifts to the new position of regional homeless coordinator.

Although I now live in eastern Arizona, I see progress in Las Vegas. Last month in Phoenix the Maricopa County government guaranteed the remaining funding needed to begin construction of the new $22 million Homeless Services Campus near downtown Phoenix. The successful effort, which has taken several years, is a regional collaboration of service providers and religious, business, government and other civic leaders.

In a recent local editorial, it was argued that this approach is the "right thing to do."

BROTHER DAVID BUER

Editor's note: Brother David Buer, a Franciscan monk, spent seven years -- from 1997 to January of this year -- serving the homeless people of Las Vegas and Clark County. Buer, who was honored in a proclamation by the Clark County Commission before leaving the area, now lives in Whiteriver, Ariz.

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