Housing, first and foremost, will help dozens of homeless people in Carson City, according to a new comprehensive plan developed by the city. “There was a coordinated effort to address a problem that will continue to grow,” Mary Jane Ostrander, human services division manager, said during a Carson City Board of Health meeting Aug. 18. “It’s not going to go away unless we do something.” Sixty-nine people are homeless in the capital city, according to an official count in February, though that number is likely higher, Ostrander said. “On any given day, there could be more, and there could be less,” she said. The Carson City Housing Plan committee has members from Carson City Health and Human Services, Carson City Leadership, the city’s Community Development Department, Carson Tahoe Regional Healthcare, Friends In Service Helping, Nevada Rural Housing Authority, and the State of Nevada Housing Division. Eyeing $1.1 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act funding – which could be used in the future – the new plan would have three stages: survive, stabilize, thrive. The first stage involves street outreach, getting people assessed by health and human services and starting case management. The second stage centers around getting people off the street, not just into temporary housing, but providing medical, mental health and legal assistance, as well as life-skills training. Supervisor Stacey Giomi said personal documentation is crucial as some unsheltered people lack identification to get medical care or any kind of work. “There are people who get into the homeless cycle and want to get out,” he said. The third stage, thriving, means individuals transition to independent living. That phase costs nothing, Ostrander said. She estimated the first phase would cost $67,000-$88,000 a year for a full-time outreach program. The second phase, she estimated, would cost $600,000 a year for temporary housing and 24/7 staffing to monitor residents. The city could locate and lease housing units or have modular residential quarters constructed. To put things in perspective, Ostrander said the cost of homelessness to the community is $40,000-$60,000 a year per person. She said that’s a HUD estimate and includes costs associated with emergency services, medical care, and social services. That means the Carson City homeless population is costing the public $2.8 million to $4.1 million a year. “It’s really pennies now to save dollars later,” said Supervisor Lisa Schuette. Supervisor Stan Jones said the biggest obstacle is finding space for housing where neighbors won’t complain. Compounding the problem, said Nicki Aaker, director of health and human services, is low inventory of available rentals coupled with high prices. “Landlords can be choosy right now,” she said. “They don’t want to work with these people.” During public comment, some residents voiced concerns the city would be exacerbating the problem by incentivizing free care. Board of Health Chair Dr. Colleen Lyons answered the proposed programs would be controlled, supervised group homes with the expectation participants transition to independent living. Schuette said “wraparound services,” as proposed, help individuals succeed. “More importantly, it helps address the issue, and isn’t that what this is about?” she said. “The human side of things.”
Mayor Lori Bagwell said the plan offers a chance to be “impactful with dollars.” “And have a mission to recognize 69 people in this point in time who, for a variety of reasons, need hope and someone to help them,” she said. Reconvening after the Board of Health, the Board of Supervisors directed staff to create a notice of opportunity of funding that lists specific goals of the Carson City Housing Plan and available funding sources. This will be used to recruit outside vendors and managerial staff for the program. Near the end of public comment, Carson City resident Deni French volunteered for the street outreach team, creating a moment of warmth. “I sure come in contact with a lot of people as I’m out during my days,” he said. Board members and staff welcomed volunteers and others who want to help, including contractors for potential housing. For information about Carson City Health and Human Services, visit https://gethealthycarsoncity.org/
