Affordable Housing Issue Leads to Homelessness
CITY OF NOT SO BRIGHT LIGHTS
Las Vegas is the City of Lights. Although, it is not as bright as it seems. In a research study, two in three unhoused people spend their nights in shelters. One third spend the night unsheltered with no where to turn to. The study was stated in an article titled State of Homelessness in 2021:Statistics, Analysis and Trends. Therefore Nevada is the ninth highest state in America with 220,000 homeless. Another article named The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Homelessness in the United States was released stating Nevada is rank as the second highest state with unemployment rate during COVID-19. Nevada was also ranked as the ninth highest state in America with the highest homelessness rate before COVID-19.
WHAT’S HOMELESSNESS?
What exactly does it mean to be homeless? To have no shelter or reliable housing available is to be homeless. Homeless look for ways to survive from what to eat, where to go, and how to get there. Some homeless find shelter. Meanwhile others are sheltered. Help Hope Home released 2020 Homeless Census Results. On January 28, 2020 it was reported that 3,461 out of 5,283 people are unsheltered, a total of 66%.
THE BARRIER TO AFFORDABLE HOUSING
What is the #1 top barrier? Limited affordable housing is the issue. Help Hope Home stated, “47% of people experiencing homelessness for the first time” lost housing because they couldn’t afford it. Without knowing how to get to shelter, they deal with excessive heat. According to State of Homelessness in 2021: Statistics, Analysis, and Trends, over 226,000 homeless Americans sleep on streets with no shelter. Unsheltered, are living in tunnels and encampments.
FULL OF POSSIBILITIES
Weather will not be as controllable but the possibilities to make a difference are numerous. From volunteering in shelters to donating basic needs.
TRANSPORTING THROUGH THE TOUGH
For transportation, RTC Southern Nevada helps get to shelters such as Las Vegas Rescue Mission and Nevada Homeless Alliance. The Nevada 211 is a program that offers services for Nevadans in need, even in assistance of purchasing local transportation. There are nonprofit organizations such as CARE Complex Homeless Foundation that provide not only water bottle fill up, locker services and hygiene but RTC bas passes.
BUILDING A BETTER STATE
As far as housing, SCA Design helps with it. SCA Design is an architectural firm in Nevada. Since 1995, SCA Design has worked towards designs from commercial to retail and casino along with restaurants, interior and residential. When it comes to residential they try their absolute best to work with housing affordability as they are supportive all throughout.
