LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — The Clark County Veterans’ Coalition held a town hall at Rainbow Library, aimed at connecting local veterans with resources and support.
Speakers at the panel said Southern Nevada’s VA system is among the fastest growing in the country, adding more than 400 veterans each month. They are focused on how to manage that growth and make sure veterans can access the services and support they have earned.
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Healthcare shortages affect veterans
VA representatives noted Nevada has long been considered a healthcare desert, with shortages in local care and physicians, something that can directly affect veterans and lead to longer wait times.
Political candidates also attended, and veterans shared concerns along with advice for others navigating the system.
“What I really want to see change is people stop talking about it and doing something about it,” said Vincent Palmieri Jr., a veteran, Purple Heart recipient and commander for western regions. “And, okay, mental health is a problem, homeless is a problem. How are you going to solve it? We have ways to solve it. And we have a lot of developers here. But the problem is sometimes the locations they want to put a veteran is not the best location.”
Veteran homelessness reduced
Another major issue discussed: veteran homelessness. Veteran Shaquilla Eilets is especially worried about the number of homeless veterans—and wants to know what’s being done to get them off the street and connected to services.
“How many of them need services, and how we’re going to actually decrease the issue,” said Eilets. She continued by asking, “What are we doing? And yes, it’s not just homeless people, but a large population of the homeless people out there are veterans.”
The VA says it has worked aggressively to reduce the number of homeless veterans, reporting Southern Nevada has reduced the number by about half.
Officials also noted that because Las Vegas is a transient city, the problem continues to show up and remain a challenge.
Officials from the VA said that in some cases, veterans still are not seeking out the services available to them, an issue they say they are working to address.
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