The Washoe County Board of County Commissioners have approved funding for a year-round, overflow shelter for the homeless.
At Tuesday’s meeting, the Board of County Commissioners approved up to $2,020,856 in funding for the Community Assistance Center (CAC), which will be included as part of the future FY 16-17 Interlocal Agreement with the cities of Reno and Sparks to help operate the shelter.
The County says a portion of the money will go toward the addition of new programming to support the year-round overflow shelter, providing a place for the homeless to stay year-round while also providing case management to support individualized needs which increases funding from $1.9 million a year to $2.6 million.
In addition to the recently approved funding for the CAC, Washoe County pays for three full-time case management positions at the shelter.
Washoe County Adult Social Services is a participating agency at the CAC and provides services to assist individuals who are homeless with resources and case management in conjunction with all Washoe County indigent services totaling more than $25 million annually.
The CAC provides a men’s, women’s and family shelter. The CAC served more than 2,500 people during the past fiscal year.
“This is a regional issue that affects every single municipality and every corner of our county,” Washoe County Commission Chair Kitty Jung (Dist. 3) said. “I made the promise that I could get the votes to support helping the homeless and I am proud of this Commission for doing so.”
(Washoe County contributed to this report.)
