Special-needs housing, support services in short supply

Housing and support services for special-needs groups in Nevada are in short supply, according to the Nevada Housing Division. In a pilot study released by the state agency, the needs of nine population groups in the Las Vegas and Reno metropolitan areas were described as "extensive."

Heidi Aggeler of Denver-based BBC Research & Consulting conducted the research and presented a summary of the "Nevada Special Needs Housing Assessment" report last Tuesday to members of the state's Housing Advisory Committee.

"With every study I've seen, there is always more of a need for housing than there is housing, and there is never enough funding to meet the needs identified. Serving special-needs groups goes beyond bricks and mortar. There are also the supportive services that are needed," said Aggeler, pointing out that such services include caregiver assistance, mental health and substance abuse counseling, and job training.

The special-needs groups identified by the housing division were: persons with Alzheimer's disease or dementia, persons 55 years and older, persons with physical disabilities, persons with developmental disabilities, persons with mental illness, persons who are homeless, victims of domestic violence, persons with HIV/AIDS, and parolees.

Between the two metropolitan areas, Las Vegas proved most in need because it is "more transient than Reno, so there is more that needs to be addressed," Aggeler said.

For research purposes, the Las Vegas area encompassed the cities of Las Vegas, North Las Vegas, Boulder City, Henderson and unincorporated Clark County. Findings pertaining to Las Vegas included the following:

--Of an approximate 27,500 people suffering from a dementia-related illness, 12,000 live alone without a caregiver.

--Of the 310,200 people age 55 years and older, roughly 58,000 live with family, in subsidized housing, homeless shelters or are unsheltered.

--Of the 110,000 people with physical disabilities, about 32,000 reside with family, friends, in weekly motels, homeless shelters or are unsheltered.

--Families, friends and guardians provide living arrangements and care for 18,600 of an estimated 19,400 developmentally disabled people.

--About 25,000 people suffer from mental illness, and 22,700 of them live in precarious housing or are unsheltered.

--Among the homeless population, there are an estimated 8,175 living on the street and 3,700 precariously housed.

--Of the 14,500 to 26,900 victims of domestic violence, about 8,500 live with the perpetrator, other family members, alone or are unsheltered.

--Of the 4,800 to 6,000 people afflicted with HIV/AIDS, anywhere from 1,200 to 1,600 live in nursing or group homes, precarious housing or are unsheltered.

--Of the 1,425 parolees in the area, 400 to 1,000 live in transitional housing, weekly hotels, homeless shelters or are unsheltered.

Some findings include a range of numbers because of the sources used and the specific definitions those sources applied to situations such as homelessness and conditions such as mental illness.

"This study just scratches the surface in identifying the needs of these populations," Aggeler said. "Most states do not undertake such a study, but Nevada is being proactive. With the aging of the baby boomers, there will be a greater need for special housing and medical care."

Research did not include the state's rural areas because, "in metropolitan areas, you can get all of the service providers in one spot," said Charles Horsey, administrator of the housing division, which is a self-funded agency that does not receive tax-payer dollars. "Areas with the greatest need should be served first. But if we can identify a source of funds, we have two steps we can take: extend the study to include the rural areas and do an in-depth analyses of one or two of these special-needs groups."

Nearly 200 agencies participated in the study, and nearly 40 people served in a focus group.

"We are going to share this information with the people who participate in our programs, including developers, government representatives and service providers," Horsey said. "This is just a beginning."

Free copies of the report can be obtained by calling Jean Norton at 486-7220, ext. 224. Or, log on to www.nvhousing.state.nv.us and click on "publications."

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