Hmmm, seems oddly fitting in a place like Nevada, gambling capital of the universe....
(Wrong headline was posted online for this article)
by Geoff Dornan
Appeal Capitol Bureau, gdornan@nevadaappeal.com
April 3, 2008
Lawmakers voted Wednesday to recommend awarding $1 million to local governments for homeless programs, even though that money may be taken as part of the state's budget cuts.
"Believe it or not, this tiny little appropriation is one of the items being looked at," said Assemblywoman Sheila Leslie, D-Reno. "Unfortunately, this $1 million is on the list of potential cuts to meet the deficit. Certainly my hope is this small amount would be spared."
But after being told the money would leverage federal, private and other funds up to 10 times that amount and that some projects - especially in places such as Churchill County - simply won't happen without the money, the subcommittee voted to recommend the Interim Finance Committee award the grants at its meeting next week.
Senate Majority Leader Bill Raggio, R-Reno, moved the subcommittee support the spending plans developed by Washoe, Clark, Churchill and Douglas counties, with the understanding that if the $1 million is reduced, the funding to those programs would be cut back proportionately.
"I'm very supportive of the requests that have been made," he said. "I would recommend as requested subject to the availability of the funding."
All the members of the subcommittee except Sen. Bob Beers, R-Las Vegas, supported the motion.
"I can't support the motion because of the shortfall," said Beers. "It's too tight a corner to get around."
The subcommittee was told Nevada has the highest per capita homeless rate of the 50 states. Only Washington, D.C., is higher. There are an estimated 1,600 people living on the streets on any given night.
Jodi Royal-Goodwin of Reno said their $300,000 share of the money would help make three projects providing a total of 26 units of transitional housing a reality and, in the process, leverage up to $12 million in construction funding.
In rural Nevada, $30,000 would go to support services in Churchill County. County Manager Brad Goetsch said that would keep employees on staff who provide the services to families and individuals in need of housing and other services. He said federal funding of about $100,000 a year will become available to continue the services next year.
Douglas County will get a total of $45,000 for support services to those in need and $25,000 to increase transitional housing in the county. Federal money should become available there in 2010.
The remaining $600,000 will go to Clark County, where more than 14,000 of the homeless are located. Darryl Martin of Clark County said the money will cover one-time costs of transitional housing services and provide access to some 375 transitional housing beds.
The full committee will vote on the funding next week.
