KLAS-TV Channel 8 News Las VegasProgram Reaches Out to Homeless
The latest research estimates Southern Nevada's homeless population now tops 14,000 and homeless advocates say more than half are families.
A new public service campaign will soon starting airing on local television stations and it is aimed at telling the public how to help the homeless get off the streets for good.
Because the compelling television spots feature the stories of real homeless people, they put a real face on our local homeless problem.
"More than half are families. One and two parent families so it's not just the person you see on the street corner," said Shannon West, regional homeless coordinator.
Homeless services coordinator Shannon West says the new public service campaign represents the most coordinated regional effort ever to help the valley's homeless.
And the new Web site, HelpHopeHome.org, encourages local residents and businesses to join the effort to provide long-term solutions for the chronic homeless problem.
"Simply putting people into houses and waving goodbye to them won't solve this problem. We need support services, like job-training, transportation and daycare to help them maintain their housing," said Linda Lera-Randle, homeless advocate.
And in a transient city like Las Vegas where homeless programs come and go as often as the residents, longtime homeless advocates are hoping the valley's first coordinated regional approach to this problem will have the longevity to change the lives of those on the streets who really don't want to be there.
Send your comments to Reporter Alyson McCarthy at amccarthy@klastv.com
