We have over 40,000 homeless and only approximately 2000 beds are available.
22% of Veterans are homeless who live in cardboard boxes, tents or on the streets.
We need to work on getting more facilities for the homeless, more food for the children who are in poverty, working with the VA to provide more housing for homeless vets working with our elected officials and to find funding to provide aid for those who are in need. Most of the homeless veterans are working but are only able to find part time work with the minimum wage. It is beyond their means to pay rent. Many of the children who are in poverty are from single mother families who also are part timers and can only provide very little food as a result of potential cuts to the food stamp assistance programs. Together, we can work on solving solutions to those who have fallen on hard times by supporting outreach programs. Such as Catholic Charities, Food Banks, Salvation Army and more. Please refer to the link Resources For Those Who Are In Need .
The latest statistics facing Southern Nevada
More Insight For Those Who Are In Need
Employment is improving but getting a full time job is still very difficult. As a result of part time work, an individual or a family cannot make enough money to either feed their children or pay rent including utilities, afford transportation except for walking to and from work or pay for the basic necessities. Many of the homeless do not have family support and their time is split up by working and providing time to be with their children. Many of them are single mothers while others are just unable to find work as a result of their homeless circumstances. Creating and finding jobs will help to eliminate homelessness.
Their others who do have serious mental problems and are not able to cope with everyday life.
As mentioned, close to 20% of our vets are homeless because they do have a job but have been divorced and end up paying the debt they have accumulated. They just don't have enough to get on their own. They are called the in-betweeners. Also, in some cases they have severe mental problems as a result of being in war.
The most distressing statistic is of child abuse and in many cases it is so hard to comprehend what is done to children. Some of which is just too horrific. I think most of us are unaware of this but we need to make this one of the most important issues to deal with both personally and by adding real pressure to those who our elected officials.
Crime is rampant in Southern Nevada as a result of those who take advantage of the system, not having alternatives as to working, gang related, drugs or they have a mindset to find ways to make money the easy way by stealing even in the well to do neighborhoods. A major part of the problem is the lack of funding for the police departments. Combined this with not enough programs to help our youth find other alternative jobs that fit utilizing their skills.
Abuse to animals is also horrific and we need to make this a priority with our elected officials and to have volunteer communities watch programs that remain anonymous.
Finally, our water is at a critical point and we have completed a project known as a 3rd straw to keep our water level at a certain point in order to run our pumps. Some of you have gone to Lake Mead and seen for your self the alarming water level. There are solutions but it will take all of us including our tourist industry to find ways to save and conserve water.
What you can do
What you can do is either to volunteer, give food or give donations to those on the link Resources For Those In Need Remember an act of kindness can do more for others who are in need and to your compassion and understanding of those who happen to be less fortunate in this stage of their lives.
