Assemblywoman Lisa Cole joins Vegas Stronger board to tackle homeless crisis

By Kristen Kniep  

Nevada News and Views

A rising star in Nevada Republican politics is taking on a new role in the fight against homelessness.

Assemblywoman Lisa Cole, who represents the northwest part of the Las Vegas Valley (District 4), has joined the board of Vegas Stronger, a nonprofit focused on addressing addiction, housing, and mental health issues tied to the growing homeless crisis.

The group announced the move in a recent email to supporters, calling Cole’s appointment “a huge win” for both the organization and the broader community.

Who Is Lisa Cole?

Cole, a small business owner, first won her Assembly seat in 2024 and quickly made a name for herself as a common-sense legislator.

She’s known for pushing back on unnecessary government regulations and supporting policies that help businesses grow.

She’s no stranger to hard work.

While managing her business and raising a family, Cole went to law school at night — graduating at the top of her class in 2023 and passing the Nevada bar exam on her first try.

Earlier this year, she was named “Rising Star” by the conservative group Citizen Outreach.

“She’s sharp, she listens, and she gets stuff done,” said Chuck Muth, president of Citizen Outreach. “She’s exactly the kind of leader we need more of — not just in politics, but in our communities.”

Why It Matters

Vegas Stronger isn’t just about handouts.

The group focuses on helping people get off the streets and rebuild their lives with dignity — something many conservatives say has been missing from the usual government approach to homelessness.

According to their public goals, the nonprofit aims to help at least 2,500 people transition out of homelessness by the end of next year.

Their longer-term mission includes reducing homelessness in Clark County by double digits by 2026.

Bringing Cole onto the board adds a strong political ally with both business savvy and legal experience — two things that could help the group navigate government red tape and secure support for real solutions.

“We’re not going to solve this problem with more bureaucracy,” Cole said in an earlier interview. “We need real partnerships between the public and private sectors, and we need to focus on what actually works.”

The Bigger Picture

Homelessness has become one of Nevada’s most visible and urgent problems.

In Las Vegas alone, more than 5,000 people are believed to be living on the streets or in shelters, according to the latest count from local agencies.

Critics often blame rising housing costs and addiction, while others point to mental health gaps and policy failures.

Groups like Vegas Stronger are trying to take a more targeted approach — one that treats the root causes instead of just throwing money at the symptoms.

Cole’s involvement is being welcomed by many on the right as a sign that serious, results-driven people are stepping in.

Critics Push Back

Not everyone is cheering.

Left-leaning groups have questioned whether someone like Cole — who supports reducing regulations and limiting government spending — is the right fit for addressing poverty and homelessness.

Some Democratic voices have accused her of prioritizing business interests over social services.

A 2024 campaign statement where Cole said she would “roll back unnecessary restrictions” on developers has been used to suggest she’s too close to industry.

But supporters say that’s missing the point.

“Lisa Cole knows how to get things done,” said Vegas Stronger CEO Dave Marlon. “We need people who know how the system works — and how to fix it when it doesn’t.”

With Cole on board, Vegas Stronger gains a policy-minded conservative who believes in accountability, personal responsibility, and results — not just rhetoric.

And for Nevada Republicans looking to show leadership on tough issues like homelessness, this may be a sign of things to come.