Lyon County Human Services held its annual homeless street count Thursday.
This is a nationwide initiative to try to put an end to homelessness.
Starting early Thursday morning Lyon County Human Service representatives, along with community members, went around the Fernley, Silver Springs and Dayton area to offer supplies and resources to people who may not have a place to call home.
"We're trying to connect individuals to resources such as family resources, substance abuse, mental health, social security, health care, housing, employment, you name it, we kind of do it," says Case Manager Mikelynn McKinney.
While dropping off pamphlets and supply bags, they also took the opportunity to really talk to individuals, to find out their backgrounds and learn how they can help.
"It's really just asking individuals about their basic demographics. How long have they been homeless? How long have they been in Lyon County? In their own words, what are the barriers that contribute to their homelessness," says McKinney.
McKinney says for the last ten to 15 years Lyon County has participated in this count and since then, she says studies show that homelessness is on the rise. She believes it's heavily due to rising rent costs.
"The warehouses are coming in, the market is being created there for employment, but the wages that are being provided aren't really matching what the housing is going for," says McKinney.
One man we spoke to says he is grateful for McKinney's help. He says he's doing his part as well to get back on his feet.
"It's step by step. If a person wants to be out here, there's nothing you can do about that. It's a state of mind," says Bryan Houston.
Click on the link below to learn more about Lyon County Human Services:
https://www.lyon-county.org/175/Human-Services
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