Clark County homeless census shows 20% increase in a single year

LAS VEGAS ( KLAS ) — A report on Nevada’s annual homeless count released on Thursday confirmed the valley is at a 10-year high with 7,906 people experiencing homelessness.

The “point-in-time” (PIT) count conducted each January found an increase of 1,340 people compared to January 2023 — a 20.4% increase in a single year. The number has been going up since 2021, when 5,083 homeless people were found in the annual count. The homeless population has increased 56% over three years.

“We are seeing more walkups of people,” Merideth Spriggs, Chief Kindness Officer of Caridad said. “Just desperate to get affordable housing.”

In May, 8 News Now reported the preliminary results of the PIT count , which happens during the last 10 days of January. At the time, numbers had not been verified by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The final count went down by 22.

Clark County officials said the PIT count shows that efforts to shelter homeless individuals is making a difference. The number of people taking advantage of shelters went from 2,654 in 2023 to 3,704 this year, according to the county. That’s an increase of nearly 40%.

“The recent increase in the sheltered count is likely due in part to the expansion of shelter access for individuals experiencing or at-risk of experiencing homelessness and a change in our counting methodology. Since the opening of non-congregate shelters in Clark County, more people can access safe and stable housing, which can help to break the cycle of homelessness,” according to a county news release.

Here’s what the PIT count tells us about people experiencing homelessness in Clark County:

• About 42% are African American, 33% are white and 8% are multi-racial.
• Females account for 63.6% of the homeless population, and 36.5% are male.
• 81% are single adults, and 19% are families with children.
• 22% are between the ages of 35 and 44, 18% are 45-54, 17% are 55-64, 16% are 25-34, 12% are under 18, 9% are over 64, and 6% are 18-24.
• 53% of Clark County’s homeless population is unsheltered. 47% are in shelters.
• 34% of those found through the PIT count were chronically homeless.
• Veterans make up 6% of Clark County’s homeless population.
• 6% are unaccompanied youth.
• Only about 8.9% (703) were identified as being involved with substance abuse.
• About 11.4% (900) were experiencing mental health challenges.
• About 3% (237) were identified as victims of domestic violence.

The county noted a significant rise in the number of sheltered individuals, with a 62% increase in non-congregate shelter beds and expanded access to emergency shelters.

“This year’s Point-in-Time count shows that our efforts to expand shelter options are having a tangible impact,” Deputy County Manager Abigail Frierson said. “While the number of individuals living unsheltered remains high and we continue to work to secure permanent, stable housing, it is encouraging to see that we are steadily moving residents off the streets and into safer environments.”

Clark County has initiated a range of programs to assist the homeless:

• Rapid Rehousing
  • 40 programs in the community to provide shelter and wraparound services.
• Emergency and Non-congregate Shelters
  • Services for the most vulnerable, including a $23 million outlay for six non-congregate shelters that provide short-term temporary housing to keep families together and assist single-member households in getting long-term housing.
• Navigation Center
  • An emergency housing and navigation center to assist homeless adults without children, using individualized case management to address root causes of homelessness.
• Permanent Supportive Housing
  • A community housing fund that has approved over $170 million for affordable housing for low-income residents.

The Southern Nevada Homelessness Continuum of Care coordinates the Point-in-Time count and serves as a central hub for collaboration between various organizations and local communities working to address homelessness.

For information regarding emergency shelter or housing assistance through the Nevada Homeless Alliance click HERE or for more information regarding coordinated entry for homeless individuals click HERE.

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