Emergency Shelter Updates and Seasonal Planning

The Nevada Cares Campus provides immediate and low-barrier access to shelter to people experiencing homelessness in our community. To keep service providers, stakeholders and the community up to date with the frequent changes such as current emergency shelter availability, staffing, seasonal and construction changes, we will be sharing the most up to date information here.

Connect with Cares Newsletter

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In order to share the most up to date information with the participants of the Nevada Cares Campus the team will create monthly newsletters to share all the updates taking place at the Campus. To view the newsletter online and other information shared with participants, please click here.

Current Shelter Availability

For daily updates on emergency shelter availability, please visit the Shelter Census Dashboard, here.

This dashboard summarizes the number of emergency shelter beds available through the Nevada Cares Campus and the Our Place Women and Family shelter. It also summarizes the Nevada Cares Campus Safe Camp program. 

Staffing

Shelter Operator - Volunteers of America 

Washoe County recently underwent an RFP process to select the operator of the emergency shelter. On May 17, 2022, the Board of County Commissioners approved a new contract with Volunteers of America (VOA) to operate and staff the shelter through June 30, 2024, with the option to renew for three one-year periods, in the amount of $6.5 million per year.

The new contract focuses on increasing staffing and pay levels to support the campus in a manner that will support positive outcomes.

Washoe County - Housing and Homeless Services

In addition to the shelter operator staff, the following Washoe County staff support the Nevada Cares Campus:

  • Administration:  Three staff support contract management, purchasing/supplies, community partners/volunteers and policy development at the Campus.
  • Case Management: Washoe County has hired 18 case managers, who have completed two weeks of onboarding and training and are now working at the Campus. Recruitment for an additional three case managers is currently underway.
  • Mental Health Counselors: The manager of the behavioral health program at the Campus has been hired. Recruitment for 5 Mental Health Counselor positions continues.
  • Medical Support: The RFP process for the Nevada Cares Campus Medical support is underway. A 24-hour dedicated nurse hotline with REMSA has been established.

For open employment opportunities please visit Washoe County Human Resources job postings, here.

Seasonal Planning

Warm Weather Plans

The Nevada Cares Campus offers people experiencing homelessness emergency shelter and access to the day center. The Day Center is open 6am – 6pm daily for showers, meals and laundry and will serve as a multiuse facility for those retreating from sun, heat and smoke. With construction taking place we will determine more detailed timelines and logistics at the Campus and how these will affect the Day Center. Updates will be shared as we have information.

  • Food Tent/Cooling area
    • Expanding and enclosing the current shade tent
    • HVAC Heating and Cooling
    • Carbon air filters to filter the smoke
    • Plumbed refilling drinking water station
    • Summer planning with partners
Warming Center & Cold Weather Overflow

The warming center and cold weather overflow at the Nevada Cares Campus Emergency Shelter are opened during inclement weather to protect individuals from freezing weather, rain, and snow. The warming center is activated when the temperature dips below 35ºF, however we remain flexible through the fluctuating weather in our community.

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The much-awaited improvements to the Campus are starting. The Board of County Commissioners approved the first construction contracts for Phase ll on May 10, 2022. With contracts in place, we are beginning an in-depth planning process with the contractors over the next few weeks to determine more detailed timelines and logistics at the Campus. As there will be frequent changes, communication with participants and on-site staff will be a focus. For a complete overview and to follow our progress, please visit our Program and Construction Development page, here.

Additional Information 

If you are interested in additional information on the Nevada Cares Campus Emergency Shelter, please contact Washoe County Housing and Homeless Services at: RegionalHomelessServices@washoecounty.gov