Compassion with Accountability: A Real Plan for Homelessness

In 2024, $15.1 million was spent on 233,293 overnight stays at the CARES Campus. That’s a staggering investment, and residents deserve to know what it’s producing. The answer, so far, is not enough. City leaders relied on one-time federal COVID funds to build a response with permanent costs and no sustainable funding plan. The money is spent. The bills remain. We need a different approach.

Outreach teams by the Sheriff’s Office, Reno Police Department and the Sparks Police Department should work toward better communication and regionalization.  These are the most effective groups as they consist of law enforcement, Federal and local benefit managers and case workers, but the lack of consistent leadership hinders productivity.  One task force with one mission.

Building trust and relationships is the first step, followed by consistency and, ultimately, accountability.  Unfortunately, many experiencing homelessness have given up on themselves, compassion and accountability are keys to success.