UPDATE APRIL 1, 2020: The temporary homeless shelter location at Cashman Center, 850 Las Vegas Blvd. North, which was put into use beginning March 28, will suspend operations tomorrow morning at 6 a.m. The shelter was opened on an emergency basis when the Catholic Charities shelter closed last week. Catholic Charities has now reopened, offering shelter for the homeless along with the Courtyard Homeless Resource Center and other providers.
During its first four nights of operation, the temporary shelter at Cashman was used by 591 homeless individuals, and provided a safe alternative to sleeping on the street.
Construction continues on the Cashman ISO-Q Complex (ISO-Q is short for Isolation-Quarantine). The complex is needed to facilitate the care of the homeless in that area, and will be available to care for at least 350 homeless individuals.
Clark County and the city of Las Vegas are partnering to build and operate the Cashman ISO-Q Complex and it is expected to be ready to begin receiving patients Monday, April 6, starting at 6 p.m.
When complete, the complex will have separate areas for people who are quarantined because they were exposed to the coronavirus, an isolation area for those who test positive and have symptoms, and an isolation area for those who test positive but have no symptoms. The complex will follow CDC guidelines for when patients who have recovered from coronavirus may be released. While there, homeless patients will be assisted with resources and a case plan to help them transition from homelessness.
Clark County is overseeing and funding construction of the facility, and the city will oversee operations and security. The two local governments will jointly fund the complex. Exactly how long it remains in place will be determined at a later date.
ORIGINAL STORY: Due to the closure of Catholic Charities, the city of Las Vegas, Clark County and area homeless providers have opened a temporary shelter for the homeless on the upper parking lot of the Cashman Center. The location began Saturday and will run until April 3. It is anticipated that the Catholic Charities homeless shelter in the Corridor of Hope will reopen in the meantime.
Due to the closure of Catholic Charities, we are joining with @CityOfLasVegas & area homeless providers to set up a temporary shelter @ Cashman Center. It will open tonight & run through April 3rd, when Catholic Charities will reopen #coronavirus #Vegas pic.twitter.com/XGWaREYbFq
— Clark County Nevada (@ClarkCountyNV) March 28, 2020
This past week the Southern Nevada Health District announced that a homeless man tested positive for the Coronavirus (COVID-19). As a result, the shelter run by Catholic Charities closed their men's shelter temporarily. This meant about 500 individuals would have no overnight shelter.
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“For them to close their shelter, I think was a big burden on the entire community," says Ward 5 City Councilman Cedric Crear, who represents the area. "Many of those people traveled across the street to the Courtyard, where we have been at over capacity."
The county and city worked together to expand the Homeless Courtyard to accommodate the homeless along Foremaster Lane, and will do an additional expansion onto the Cashman site to allow for greater social distancing.
The temporary shelter includes a mobile shower station, restrooms and supplies.
The sea of blue mats is part of a temporary shelter for the #homeless, who will be spaced at least six feet apart, @ Cashman Center. It will open tonight & be open through April 3rd, when Catholic Charities, now closed, will reopen. #coronavirus #Vegas pic.twitter.com/FkoJUAjc1X
— Clark County Nevada (@ClarkCountyNV) March 28, 2020
The temporary shelter at Cashman will operate from 6 p.m. to 8 a.m. It will be for homeless individuals who are able to walk to the site from the Courtyard. Those with fragile health or mobility problems will still be accommodated at the Courtyard.
“This is an excellent example of the city, county and homeless providers coming together to help slow the spread of COVID-19,” said Ward. “I want to thank the staff and volunteers who are making this happen during difficult times.”
The city is reserving the building spaces at Cashman Center for potential hospital overflow should the community require it.
“We’re proud to be working in collaboration with the City to meet the needs of our homeless population and appreciate the quick response of the participants in standing up the facility so soon,” said Clark County Commissioner Justin Jones.
13 HELPS | Coronavirus Resource Guide
Guests are arriving at the temporary homeless shelter at Cashman. This temporary shelter will provide better social distancing. pic.twitter.com/VzC5Wxs2X8
— City of Las Vegas (@CityOfLasVegas) March 29, 2020
“The city wants to make this site available because we know the obligation we have to help ease the overflow at the Homeless Courtyard,” said Mayor Carolyn G. Goodman.
“We needed a solution to this problem quickly and I want to thank everyone involved for their hard work so that our homeless population has a place to sleep tonight,” said Commissioner Lawrence Weekly.
Among those providing assistance are Freeman’s Carpet Service, GES Exposition Services and the Teamsters. The area homeless providers are also assisting.
