LAS VEGAS, Nev. (FOX5) – Outreach teams with Help of Southern Nevada offer the unhoused shelter and services, ahead of tougher camping bans going into effect across the Las Vegas Valley.
“Outreach workers literally put a social service agency in their backpack and go out and meet clients where they are,” said Louis Lacey with Help of Southern Nevada, who leads the Homeless Response Teams.
Tuesday, Clark County will hold a hearing and vote on its proposed ordinance: people in an encampment would be warned to move, and if they refuse, they can face a citation or arrest. The ordinance, if passed, would go into effect in January.
The City of Las Vegas has moved forward for its sidewalk sleeping ban. The proposed change allows the ordinance to be enforced when there is no bed space — although city officials said the Courtyard typically has room.
A recent Supreme Court ruling on homeless camps states that cities and counties can give a ticket for people camping, regardless of whether there is a public shelter or bed available.
Lacey, who was once homeless himself, sheds light on why people may be hesitant to accept something as simple as a free bed.
“They may have had a bad experience in the past. They may just feel hopeless…sometimes we need to allow the client to kind of guide us in how we help them,” Lacey said, noting that clients accept help after as little as one outreach, or after years.
When new camping bans go into effect, Lacey said the teams will continue their laser focus on outreach in the streets.
They already warn people ahead of government action, like a scheduled cleanup at an encampment. Lacey said the urgency of a situation leads some to get help.
“Often, when that happens, individuals may change their mind and go like, ‘okay, they‘re taking my encampment away. What can you do?’ That’s an opportunity for us,” Lacey said.
“These are our neighbors, these are our fellow human beings. We should work together to figure out a way to end this crisis,” he said.
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