LAS VEGAS, Nev. (FOX5) – Las Vegas Valley community leaders are working to address concerns around the planned Campus For Hope and dispel any misconceptions surrounding how the transitional housing project will help families and seniors in need.
FOX5 told you about the $200 million project planned to tackle the Las Vegas Valley homeless crisis: in 2023, lawmakers passed AB528, providing $100 million to social services for the homeless. Las Vegas resort leaders helped spearhead the bill and promised to donate a contribution of around $100 million.
In January, the Campus For Hope unveiled a website for the project. The plot of land at the Southern Nevada Adult Mental Health Services Center at the corner of Jones Blvd. and Charleston Blvd. has been selected for the 26-acre facility. The buildings will be demolished and replaced with the campus.
Since the site was announced, various residents have sounded off on social media, voicing concerns whether the project could lead to an increase of homelessness in the area, or decrease property values.
Las Vegas City Councilman and Mayor Pro Tem Brian Knudsen of Ward 1 has been hearing those concerns — and working to dispel any misconceptions.
“The neighbors around there, the neighborhoods around there, I get to represent all of them. They’re nervous. They don’t want this to be a tent village. The Campus For Hope is not that: Campus For Hope is apartments. It’s medical services, and it’s workforce and childcare options,” Knudsen said.
“Transitional housing is a scary word…What I like to say is, this is apartment complexes going in on vacant land. We’re putting in apartment complexes and it’s nothing more scary than that,” Knudsen said, welcoming people with concerns to contact his office.
Many residents associate the project with emergency shelter services, offered by facilities like Las Vegas’ The Courtyard: emergency shelters are meant to welcome all off the streets, and provide everyone a bed and services.
Residents and families at the Campus of Hope must be referred by social workers from other facilities, first. People cannot walk up to the property and get food and a bed.
Virginia Valentine of the Nevada Resort Association released the following statement, to provide more information:
“The Campus for Hope is based on an entirely different model than anything we’ve seen in this region. Campus for Hope will be for people who want to develop a plan, work their plan and eventually work to maintain their independence in their own homes. The Campus for Hope will offer temporary housing and wrap-around services to fully support individuals transition back onto their feet. Simultaneously, this will open up space within area non-profits for others who need other specialized support.
The Campus for Hope will not be an emergency shelter nor will it be food bank. The only people receiving services at the Campus for Hope will be those directly involved in the program. The Campus for Hope team will include security and safety professionals to ensure the safety of residents and staff.
Campus for Hope will be part of the Southern Nevada system. Navigation Centers, located throughout the region (not at the Campus for Hope), will serve as the front door. Within the Navigation Centers professionals will determine what services people need whether that be Campus for Hope other services better meeting their needs.”
According to a spokesperson, in time, the facility will also be able to provide a refuge for seniors and families facing eviction; people can be referred for a stay at the Campus of Hope, even before they reach the point of homelessness.
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