Mayoral Candidate Shelley Berkley on the Homelessness Problem

It’s a pivotal election season with Las Vegas voters deciding on a new mayor in 2024. City Cast Las Vegas has launched Mayoral Mondays to get a better feel for the 14 candidates vying for office. One of the top contenders, former Congressional representative Shelley Berkley, shares her thoughts on solving the homelessness crisis, which she says is the first or second issue in importance to most voters she meets.

Homelessness is increasing. What would you do that hasn't been done with the Courtyard Homeless Resource Center? Or is there another concept out there you’d consider?

“It's more than a city issue. It's more than a Nevada issue. The legislature appropriated $100 million to deal with the homeless with the understanding the resort corridor would come in with another $100 million. It seems as though the Wynn hotel is leading this charge. I am very comfortable with their approach, which is building a campus — not in Downtown Las Vegas — that would have wraparound services for the homeless (to) get off the streets and be able to take care of themselves and their families.”

What would that involve?

“So that means mental health counseling. It's opioid and addiction counseling. It's providing employment opportunities and training for people who want to work and can work, but are undereducated and under-trained. And then finally, transitional housing where people can live until they are self-sustaining.”

Where would you like to see something like that built?

“Speaking with the representatives of the resort corridor who are leading this charge, I'm not sure they have a location yet, and I don't think I would suggest a location. They need to determine where there is enough acreage to build this campus.”