Clark County and Las Vegas Escalate Anti-Homeless Measures

Clark County and Las Vegas Escalate Anti-Homeless Measures

Amidst soaring homelessness rates, Clark County and Las Vegas have implemented more punitive policies to criminalize unhoused individuals sleeping in public. Last week, Clark County passed an ordinance prohibiting such behavior, with potential penalties of up to 10 days in jail and $1,000 in fines. However, the enforcement is contingent on warning and availability of shelter space.

Divisions within Clark County Commission

Commissioner William McCurdy voiced dissent against the ordinance, citing insufficient resources and administrative capacity to connect unhoused individuals to services. Commissioner Justin Jones acknowledged the awkwardness of his support given his previous opposition to a similar measure in Las Vegas. Nonetheless, he emphasized the pressing reality on the ground.

Las Vegas Expands Anti-Homeless Ban

Following Clark County’s ordinance, Las Vegas expanded its 2019 ban on sitting and camping on downtown sidewalks citywide. People cited more than twice in a year can now face up to 10 days in jail, with diversion or rehabilitation programs as alternatives.

Supreme Court Ruling Influences Enforcement

The previous ordinance in Las Vegas was subject to shelter availability to comply with a federal appeals court ruling. However, a June 2023 Supreme Court decision allowed cities to enforce anti-camping bans even without adequate shelter options. This ruling paved the way for the removal of the shelter requirement in the city’s ordinance.

Record High Homelessness in Southern Nevada

Southern Nevada has witnessed a 13-year high in homelessness, with the Point-in-Time count reporting over 7,900 unhoused individuals. Chronic homelessness, characterized by prolonged duration and severe mental illness, substance abuse, or physical disability, affects 34% of the population.

County’s Efforts to Address Homelessness

Clark County has allocated COVID relief funds to convert motels into non-congregate shelters, operating over 1,600 beds with an occupancy rate of 85%. Additional shelters are planned to provide 6,800 beds for various subpopulations. However, the ordinance’s enactment date was delayed to February 1st due to concerns about service availability.

Public Defender Concerns

Clark County public defenders opposed the anti-homeless ordinance, citing ineligibility issues for certain individuals. Despite the availability of services, a criminal history, substance abuse, and other factors can prevent unhoused persons from accessing shelter or diversion programs. This creates a cycle of punishment and hinders outreach efforts.

Treatment and Consequence

The ordinance also addresses the impoundment of unhoused individuals’ belongings for up to 30 days upon arrest. Public defenders raised concerns about potential harm caused by discarding valuable personal items, such as those with sentimental significance.