LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — Youth homelessness in Clark County increased 34% from 2023 to 2024, according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Clark County is now getting new federal funding to help address what advocates describe as a shortage of safe places for young people to live. In 2024, the county secured $8.5 million in HUD funding to expand its Youth Homelessness Demonstration Program, aimed at addressing youth homelessness in Nevada.
One of the places where homeless youth can get shelter is HELP of Southern Nevada. The organization’s Step Up Studio Apartments are designed to help youth build real-life skills as they work toward stable, independent housing.
Kim Moore, director of HELP of Southern Nevada, said youth who live at the apartments pay rent equal to 30% of their income, but the need for housing remains high.
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Moore said that on Tuesday night, there were 415 youth waiting in the community queue for a housing opportunity.
A Nevada DSS state study from last year said the current system cannot meet demand. The 2024 Housing Inventory Count found about 430 beds dedicated to youth experiencing homelessness available on any given night, but 72% were emergency or transitional options.
The study estimated that Nevada needs 1,000 additional permanent housing units with low-barrier, housing-first models. It also noted there are zero dedicated beds in Nevada’s 15 rural counties, which it said may see more than 3,000 homeless youth each year.
Moore said youth from rural communities often migrate to Las Vegas because services are available there. She also said the system is not built to handle the complex, individual needs many youth are dealing with, including mental health issues and decreased cognitive functioning.
Moore said she is hopeful the HUD funding will help expand Clark County’s Youth Homelessness Demonstration Program, with efforts expected to begin taking shape next month. Moore said the program will be able to serve 15 youth with the highest needs and vulnerability, including youth with documented disabilities, and provide them with a permanent place to live long term.
HELP of Southern Nevada said it is hopeful the funding is a step toward more stability, but said it will not solve the crisis on its own. The organization said more long-term housing, coordination between agencies, and steady funding are needed to keep youth from falling back into homelessness.
Clark County currently has the Shannon West Homeless Youth Center, which can serve up to 94 youth and offers wraparound services, including case management and educational support.
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