LAS VEGAS, Nev. (FOX5) – A new state law passed unanimously by Nevada lawmakers aims to speed up homeless camp cleanups along freeways.
Assembly Bill 263 allows Clark County social workers to collaborate with the Nevada Department of Transportation to perform outreach and offer social services to the homeless living along freeways and embankments, which is state property.
The bill, authored by Assemblymember Erica Mosca of East Clark County, was passed unanimously in the Legislature. It goes into effect on October 1.
FOX5 has told you about a common scenario along the freeways and all across Clark County: the unhoused are often camping in local neighborhoods, and neighbors may call 311, notify Clark County or Metro Police about various encampments.
When homeless encampments are finally forced to leave, many simply hop the fence into NDOT’s jurisdiction. Concerned neighbors have a separate NDOT hotline to call.
“The bill requires Clark County to notify NDOT before conducting a clean-up of homeless encampments immediately adjacent to state-controlled rights-of-way. This coordination allows NDOT to consider participating in the clean-up of its right-of-way at the same time, helping ensure individuals are not displaced from one area only to move to another nearby,” NDOT spokesperson Kelsey McFarland tells FOX5 via email.
“I know this is when people really get upset with government,” Mosca said, who has personally volunteered with numerous cleanups on the East Side and spoken with campers.
“I do think this will make a difference, especially with that particular issue because so much of it is on state land or NDOT land. I know that this will cause collaboration and hopefully speed up the support needed,” Mosca said. “The unhoused are my constituents too, so I want to be able to make sure social services is talking to them,” she said.
The new state law does not cost taxpayers any money, according to NDOT and Mosca.
FOX5 told you how HELP of Southern Nevada supports any effort to remove barriers to outreach, which may take weeks or even months. “Clients know no boundaries. They’re going to go where they want to go,” said Louis Lacey, Louis Lacey, director of homeless response teams.
To report an encampment along the side of a highway, call the NDOT customer service line at (775) 888-7000. A ticket is filed when you leave a message. You can also [email protected]
To report a homeless encampment in Clark County, you can use the Fix-It CC app or call (702) 455-4191.
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