The City Council will hear at its Wednesday meeting agenda items related to homelessness in the Reno area.
On the agenda is $50,000 for the Volunteers of America emergency overflow shelter, which can house 100 individuals when the Community Assistance Center (CAC) shelters are at capacity. According to a city staff report, “statistics show that when the Overflow Shelter is open, there is a significant drop in crime, blight and complaints related to the Community Assistance Center and river corridor.”
Operation of the shelter would go through October 27, 2015 with an option to extend a contract on a month-by-month basis as funds are available, according to information posted by the City. The overflow shelter is normally open during cold months. The Reno Police Department can “exercise enforcement of existing ordinances regarding public camping and sleeping.”
The Council will also consider $110,000 for a pilot work program, also with Volunteers of America, for CAC clients, 20 of whom may participate in the program. The City already approved $250,000 to CAC, of which $110,000 was allocated for this program.
City staff indicated that “the RenoWorks program will be reserved for the individuals in the shelter who are exhibiting extreme efforts to regain self sufficiency, as demonstrated by their compliance with their case manager and stability plan.”
Job skills training, coaching and cleaning up debris along the Truckee River are components of the program.
Another $100,000, already approved for CAC improvements, will be considered for a Motels to Homes Program. Residents of weekly motels are considered “under-housed” and at risk of homelessness. The Motels to Homes program will help provide resources for more stable living conditions for at least 32 families.
The City Council meets Wednesday, August 26, 2015 at 10 a.m. at Reno city hall. Details: http://www.reno.gov/government/i-want-to-/watch/city-council-meetings-online-2443
