Nevada’s hidden crisis: Why thousands of kids are sleeping on the streets

By Erica Neely  

Nevada News and Views

Nevada has a serious problem on its hands. A new report from the Nevada Current and The 19th shows youth homelessness in our state is growing at an alarming pace.

In 2024 alone, nearly 3,000 young people between the ages of 12 and 24 asked for help from social service providers. But experts say the true number is far higher — as many as 33,000 young Nevadans under 24 don’t have a stable place to live.

That’s like filling Allegiant Stadium with nothing but homeless kids and young adults.

Even worse, Nevada only has 430 shelter beds for youth, and not a single one in the state’s 15 rural counties. That leaves thousands of kids on the streets every night.

In Clark County, youth homelessness jumped 34 percent from 2023 to 2024, with a statewide increase of 27 percent.

The Cost of Doing Nothing

When kids don’t have a roof over their heads, the strain shows up in other places: emergency rooms, law enforcement, and the courts. Taxpayers end up footing the bill.

Unaddressed, youth homelessness can lead to more crime and higher long-term costs for the public.

That’s why conservatives argue for getting ahead of the problem not waiting until it explodes.

The goal should be to strengthen families, prevent breakdowns, and get local communities involved before kids ever hit the streets.

Nonprofits and Churches Step Up

Thankfully, some groups are already filling the gap where the state has dropped the ball.

The Nevada Partnership for Homeless Youth (NPHY) in Las Vegas, for example, received an $800,000 federal grant to expand education and job programs for homeless teens. NPHY estimates about 550 kids are homeless on any given night in Southern Nevada.

In Reno, The Children’s Cabinet runs programs funded through the federal Basic Center Program. Help of Southern Nevada provides maternity group homes and outreach services. And Living Grace Homes, a faith-based nonprofit, offers shelter and support for young mothers.

These organizations aren’t just throwing money at the problem. They rely on community donations, church partnerships, and volunteers.

Their programs help kids transition into stable housing, find work, and even go to college. Those are the kind of results government programs rarely deliver.

Where’s the State’s Leadership?

Nevada lawmakers passed Assembly Bill 310 in 2023, which set aside $30 million for permanent supportive housing. But only $12 million has gone to 200 units so far, and critics question if the money is being spent wisely.

Meanwhile, funding for mental health services in Northeastern Nevada was cut, limiting telehealth for high-risk youth.

It raises the question: are state leaders really prioritizing the needs of young Nevadans, or are funds being shuffled to less critical projects?

Conservatives often push for accountability here. If the state is already spending millions, why are nonprofits and churches still carrying so much of the load?

Smarter Solutions Ahead

Instead of more bureaucracy, Nevada could embrace innovative, local solutions. Assembly Bill 397, discussed earlier this year, would give homeless youth tuition waivers for college.

That empowers young people to break free from poverty without locking them into permanent government assistance.

Another bright spot: the upcoming Nevada Youth Homelessness Summit on November 14, co-hosted by NPHY and Las Vegas Sands.

The goal is to create a long-term plan that brings in businesses, nonprofits, and youth themselves. That’s the kind of public-private partnership conservatives support.

And when you consider that more than 17,000 K-12 students in Nevada were identified as homeless in the 2022—2023 school year, it’s clear schools must also be part of the solution.

Mentorship, family reunification, and career readiness programs can help keep kids off the streets.

The Path Forward

Critics will argue that solving youth homelessness requires more state and federal funding.

But conservatives see a better path: hold government accountable for the money it already spends, and empower local communities, churches, and businesses to lead the charge.

Nevada doesn’t need more bureaucracy. It needs more responsibility, transparency, and support for the organizations already making a difference.

By focusing on family stability, education, and local partnerships, we can help young Nevadans build a future — without bankrupting taxpayers in the process.

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Erica Neely is a grassroots advocate, small business owner, director, community leader, and founder of the Hispanic Latin Alliance. Deeply rooted in family values, she is passionate about empowering her community and driving meaningful change.