Homelessness is a problem that impacts more than 14,000 thousands of people each year in Nevada. Should state and local governments exert more effort to combat the issue? Who bears the responsibility for eradicating homelessness within communities?

The Nevada Homeless Alliance is an organization that advocates for displaced Americans while working with government agencies to find solutions for those who face homelessness. In conjunction with the Southern Nevada Homeless Census and Survey, their recent findings indicated that more than 5,500 people go without a safe space to sleep every night in Southern Nevada. Among them are families with infants, couples, and individuals spanning every age range.  

Nevada ranks nineteenth in the rate of homelessness in America, with more than half of displaced people being unsheltered. Many factors contribute to the threat of homelessness, including a lack of available jobs, a decline in public assistance, limited access to affordable health care, domestic violence, mental illness, and addiction.

Advocates who push for government agencies to step in to help solve the crisis cite skyrocketing rent and a decline in viable employment opportunities as the most significant threats for those who face homelessness within the state. Those who oppose government intervention fear that proposals to aid in the issue are too costly for local and state governments, and taxpayers, to absorb. 

There is also concern that throwing money at such a complex issue will be of minimal benefit long term, begging the question of whether or not the financial risks of overspending outweigh the potential good that could result from it. 

The question for debate is, should the state and local government in the state of Nevada do more to solve homelessness?