We Need Your Questions and Insights about the Cares Campus
Now that Washoe County is fully in charge of guiding the unhoused in our community, we are getting our first tour inside the so-called Cares Campus, scheduled for Monday morning, albeit asepticized: “This site visit has been scheduled during a time when the shelter is being prepared for cleaning and will be empty of participants.”
After visits of the shelter structure, a demo ModPod from the converted tent line and next phases of the compound, there will be a q and a with Dana Searcy, the manager of the county’s Housing and Homeless Services.
So what would be your questions? Some that come to mind are why the same operators keep getting picked, and what are their salary structures for their own leadership? Are there documents with more transparent accounting of all the money being spent? Also why is it that most people we interview who sleep there assimilate it more to a carceral environment than a welcoming one? How have relationships evolved with volunteer groups? Is the food better than the initial mystery meat? How many pets are there actually on site? What is the plan for the oncoming heat wave? The list goes on and on.
What would your own questions be? Please share in the comments here or via our social media channels if you have the time and concern.
Speaking of conditions inside and the unhoused, a former journalism student at UNR, who has fallen on hard times, shared with us her repeat experiences at the County Jail.
We also featured twentysomething #sheroesofreno on the front lines of local protests for abortion access both in an article and our podcast.
We were also the only media to cover a ghost walk procession for women’s freedom next to the July Fourth parade (with snippets below from our TikTok, which includes supportive comments).
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Below a YouTube of a one take shot when the silent and somber procession concluded.
Question on homeless:
How does the County plan to support and sustain the cost of homeless services? The RGJ article conceded the general fund is not a sustainable revenue source. Will the County be cutting other personnel and programs to support homeless initiatives?
What are the County’s plans for homeless outreach to assist those outside of downtown Reno? Despite the millions being spent, there are still homeless people and encampments in South Reno, Northwest Reno, Sun Valley, and East Sparks.