Las Vegas residents say homeless plan was rushed and hidden

By Kristen Kniep

Nevada News and Views

A big new project to fight homelessness is coming to Las Vegas, but not everyone is happy about where it’s being built.

The plan is called “Campus for Hope.” It’s a $200 million facility that promises to help people get off the streets with shelter, job training, addiction help, and mental health support.

Supporters say it’s based on a successful program in San Antonio, Texas, that helped significantly cut down homelessness there.

Neighbors Say: “Not Here”

The new campus is set to be built near Charleston and Jones Boulevards, right next to quiet family neighborhoods, churches, and schools.

That’s where a lot of the pushback is coming from.

James Root, a local resident, helped start a petition to stop the project. It now has over 2,000 signatures. They emphasized they aren’t against helping the homeless; they just object to the location.

The plan includes 900 beds. It’s not an open-door shelter; people must be referred by a navigation center, pass background checks, and agree to work with case managers. Supporters say this will keep the area safe.

Still, neighbors worry about what might happen just outside the gates.

What if people who don’t qualify for help start camping nearby? What happens to traffic, noise, and safety with so many people coming and going?

One big fear is how this will affect local property values. With Bonanza High School just about a mile away, parents are especially concerned.

A Lack of Public Input?

Another major complaint is how the project was approved.

Some residents say the state and city leaders didn’t listen to the community or fully explain the plan. There are no public records yet showing traffic studies, crime risk reports, or other impact reviews.

In fact, Root and another resident, Matthew Wambolt, just filed a lawsuit. They say Nevada’s Open Meeting Law was violated and are asking the court to pause the project until proper studies are done.

Who’s Paying for It?

The total cost is $200 million, with $100 million coming from state taxpayers and the other half from private donors, including major Las Vegas resorts. It’ll cost another $30 million each year to run, with the bill split between the state, Clark County, Las Vegas, and North Las Vegas.

This raises red flags.

That’s a lot of public money for a project that many think is being rushed through without enough oversight.

Some suspect the real reason it’s being built here is to move the homeless away from the Strip, not because it’s the best location.

What About the Mental Health Center?

There’s also concern about what else is changing at the site.

The new campus will take over part of the Southern Nevada Adult Mental Health Services property. That means tearing down existing buildings and relocating services.

What the State Says

Project leaders, including Campus for Hope CEO Kim Jefferies, say the program will be safe, secure, and well-run. Jefferies says clients will stay for just 4 to 6 months, get personalized help, and work toward jobs and housing. The site will be fenced, monitored 24/7, and staffed by over 300 people.

Virginia Valentine with the Nevada Resort Association supports the plan; she points out that nearly 8,000 people are homeless in Clark County, and something has to be done.

The Bottom Line

Most folks agree that homelessness is a serious problem in Las Vegas. But the way this project has been handled raises a lot of questions.

Why wasn’t the community more involved? Why this site and not another, less residential one?

People want solutions, but they also want to feel safe in their neighborhoods. That’s not too much to ask.

The lawsuit is still pending. Stay tuned. This story is far from over.