Housing and Homeless Services

Emergency Shelters

How did we get here?

In our community there was previously one centralized emergency shelter from 2007-2020 named the Community Assistance Center (CAC), off Record Street in Reno. This shelter had 158 beds available and hosted a men’s, women’s and family shelter, a Triage Center for short-term detox and stabilization, and outreach services connecting clients with resources, operated by the non-profit organization Volunteers of America.

In March 2020, COVID-19, the novel Coronavirus pandemic, took place and the CAC did not have the capacity to socially distance all clients. As the City of Reno served as the lead for homelessness, the City activated the Reno Events Center as the temporary shelter space for people experiencing homelessness, prioritizing the safety of all clients, personnel, and staff. In response to this COVID-19 pandemic and emergency sheltering needs, Reno, Sparks, and Washoe County collaborated to utilize Coronavirus Relief Fund distributions for land acquisition and the development of the Nevada Cares Campus, including the Governor’s Bowl Park site acquisition.

On January 4, 2021, the project contractor, Q&D Construction, broke ground at the Nevada Cares Campus which opened to 604 clients in May 2021.

Development Timeline

 

Cares Campus Construction Timeline

Vote to Acquire Parcels

November 2020

• Reno, Sparks and Washoe vote to acquire and cost share three parcels to form the Cares Campus for the purpose of expanding shelter capacity in the region.

Cares Construction Begins

December 2020 - May 2021

• Reno, Sparks and Washoe vote to Initial Construction and Site work at Cares Campus (Completed by Reno).

Safe Camp Research

March 2021 - May 2021

• Safe Camp Initial site evaluation & program model research.

• Plans developed for temporary & long-term Safe Camp options.

Cares Campus Opens

May 17, 2021

• Cares Campus Emergency Shelter opens.

Safe Camp Opens

June 17, 2021

• Safe Camp pilot project opens.

Cares Campus Assessment

May 2021 - September 2021

• Cares Campus needs assessment to consider best practice in staffing, services, and facility design.

Transition of Campus to Washoe County

Fall 2021

• Long-term site plans finalized.

• Governor Bowl filled.

• RFP for Safe Camp Operator.

• Cares Campus transitioned to County.

Construction Design & Improvements

Fall & Winter 2021

• Construction Design phase.

• Winter Warming plans in place.

• ModPods installed.

Cares Phase II and Long-Term Safe Camp Construction

Spring 2022

• Long-term Safe Camp construction begins.

• Cares Campus Phase II construction begins.

On August 30, 2021, an Interlocal Cooperative Agreement was approved for Washoe County to serve as the lead for the Nevada Cares Campus operations, the transfer of the Northern Nevada Continuum of Care and other homeless services, effective September 1, 2021. This regional effort was approved by the Reno City Council, Sparks City Council, and Board of County Commissioners. View the regional meeting here. 

What is the current state?

The Nevada Cares Campus is a housing focused campus, providing services while supporting people pursue their housing goals. 

The goal of the Nevada Cares Campus is to meet people who are currently experiencing homelessness where they are at and provide housing focused case management to move these clients to stable, independent housing as soon as possible. The emergency shelter currently provides basic hygienic services including temporary restrooms, handwashing, showers, and laundry to 600 plus individuals, admitting men and couples. Single women who arrive are referred to Our Place, the local women and family shelter. In the event Our Place is full, women are welcomed at the Nevada Cares Campus emergency shelter. To address the needs of additional emergency shelter space, staff is working on offering services on campus, enriched through partnerships with local service providers and the needed staff. If interested in partnering with the Nevada Cares Campus, please contact Regional Homeless Services. 

Where are we going?

While the emergency shelter is opened and operating, the long-term development for the Campus continues. In addition to bringing services to the Campus, enhancements include improving the arrival experience to include a diversion program, appropriate case manager-to-client ratios, staff-to-client ratios, mental health support and providing alternative shelter options to meet different needs and create community. These needs will be met through improvements to the current building sprung structure and the building of permanent facilities.

To learn more about the future program model and what each construction phase entails, please visit the Program and Construction Development page. 

Additional Information 

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