City of Reno
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As homelessness increases in Reno and throughout the nation, the City of Reno continues to work on solutions in addressing this public welfare emergency in our community. This page provides an overview of City of Reno and regional initiatives addressing this complicated matter.
Re-Know Minute: Downtown Outreach
Documentary: Homelessness in our Region
City of Reno Initiatives
The Clean and Safe Program launched in January of 2020. Directed by public safety issues and Washoe County Health District violations related to encampments, the team began by addressing the Truckee River and later moved into parks and public areas.
Outreach is an imperative component of this program. A collaborative approach with staff and regional non-profits, outreach efforts have connected unhoused individuals emergency shelters, meals, employment opportunities, case management, and medical services.
The City of Reno and Volunteers of America (VOA) are proud to present Reno Works, an innovative twelve-week work program designed to uniquely address unemployment and homelessness in our community. Reno Works identifies and recruits twelve individuals residing in the VOA shelters to provide life skills and education, full-time employment assistance, and intensive case management support.
To date, there have been 67 Reno Works graduates.
The Housing and Neighborhood Development (HAND) Department manages funding, programs, and services that assist low-and moderate-income individuals/families and improve low-and moderate-income households and neighborhoods. These efforts include affordable housing development, neighborhood improvements, homeless services and direct services to assist renters. The division is engaged in a number of regional and multi-agency initiatives.
City of Reno Rental and Deposit Assistance Program
If you have been affected by housing instability, you may qualify for housing or utility assistance. To apply for assistance, you will need to first create an account on the portal. Once you create an account you will be guided through the application process and necessary documentation. To qualify for financial assistance with rent, deposit, and/or utilities, you will need to:
- Meet the area income limit of 60% or below
- Demonstrate a risk of experiencing homelessness or housing instability
- Show you have income to sustain your household once the assistance period ends.
Apply at: Housing Assistance Portal
Regional Initiatives
The Community Homelessness Advisory Board (CHAB) is a regional advisory body for homeless issues and is comprised of elected representatives from the City of Reno, City of Sparks, and Washoe County. Councilmembers Jardon and Delgado represent Reno on the Board. The board is tasked with providing input and making recommendations on homeless issues in the region. Meetings are open to the public.
Built for Zero is a movement of more than 80 communities working to measurably end homelessness. The City of Reno is part of this collaborative regional effort, with a team representing over 30 organizations. Through this effort, the region is enhancing collaboration to comprehensively address regional homelessness.
The regional Built For Zero effort is also collecting data on homelessness in our region and updating a community dashboard
The Point in Time Count
The Point in Time Count (PIT) is conducted annually and is required by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The PIT typically takes place within the last 10 days of January every year, and our Continuum of Care (CoC) works with the other two CoCs in Nevada to ensure all statewide counts take place on the same day. Annually, over 40 volunteers gathered to count our unsheltered population. The other elements of our PIT including the emergency shelter data and transitional housing data is gathered using our Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) which programs throughout our area use to track data pertinent to our population of people experiencing homelessness. The following is a year-over-year snapshot of our community.
Regional Resources
The following are regional resources for people experiencing homelessness, including shelters, transitional programs, and services. Please note that this list is not exhaustive. Community members seeking volunteer opportunities are encourage to contact non-profits in the region including, but not limited to, organizations listed below.
For additional resources in the region, view the Washoe County Housing and Homeless Services page.
Nevada Cares Campus
The CARES campus located at 1800 Threlkel Street provides a low barrier shelter for men and in limited capacity couples, women and those with pets. Shelter guests are provided with the opportunity for case management to assist them in connecting with services and permanent housing opportunities.
For bed availability, please visit the Washoe County Shelter Census Dashboard.
Our Place
Additional Our Place Information.
The EDDY House
Additional EDDY House Information.
Nevada Cares Campus History
In November of 2020, the City of Reno, City of Sparks, and Washoe County approved funding for the acquisition of 14 acres and future development of a new homeless service center in the Governor’s Bowl area – now called the Nevada Cares Campus. The campus is a service-centric, collaborative campus bringing resources to support the homeless population in the Truckee Meadows. The vision is to establish a regional hub for assistance related to homeless rehabilitation resources and services, including a center for homeless diversion and prevention assistance.
In August 2021, shelter operations transferred to Washoe County as the lead. Community members seeking to get involved, provide input, or share ideas can email: RegionalHomelessServices@
To learn more about the shelter operator, Volunteers of America, please visit: Volunteers of America, Northern California and Northern Nevada
Hope Springs
Northern Nevada’s first bridge-housing community — Hope Springs, located near downtown Reno, Hope Springs fills a hole in the Northern Nevada housing continuum, providing safe, dignified housing for the most disenfranchised members of our community.
30 individual sleeping units surround a central 3,200 sq ft facility with restrooms, showers, laundry, a kitchen, and community space. Residents will be connected to our life-saving care and life-changing services through the HOPES clinic. And very unique to Hope Springs, the facility accepts residents with dogs, has a dog park built into the campus (shown above), and provides access to veterinary and training services.
Additional Hopes Springs Information.
Village at Sage Street
This unique coed “dorm-style” facility consists of eight modular buildings with 216 small single-occupancy units for individuals that are at least 18 years of age. The Village is primarily designed to serve working people earning minimum wage, or those with other income sources such as social security or disability, as a low-income housing option. The Village will provide a foundation and stability for its residents and contribute to the overall well being of the entire community. The Village also has on site laundry, meeting and recreation spaces, is Wi-fi compatible, and provides an outdoor gathering area. The rental unit rate is $400 per month with a $400 required security deposit.
Additional Village at Sage Street information
Ridge House
Ridge House continues to be one of the leading organizations in Nevada providing a recovery-oriented system of care to individuals in recovery from substance use disorders. They offer two American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) levels of care- residential 3.1 and outpatient level 1. Clients are adults, men and women, ages 18 to senior citizens. Our professionals work to assist individuals in dealing with a variety of substance and mental health disorders, and ensure each client is given the tools to succeed. Ridge House currently has 8 residential homes (7 for men and 1 for women) housing 59 individuals with one house specifically for Veterans.
Additional Ridge House information.
Catholic Charities Battle Born Housing Plus
Catholic Charities provides low-income housing through its St Vincent’s Residences for those seeking a supported, sober living environment. Residents of the Battle Born Housing Plus program receive wraparound support services aimed at helping them on their journey to economic equality and the realization of a meaningful and purposeful life.
Additional Battle Born Housing Plus information.
Hosanna Home
Serving homeless women since 2006. Offering help to get to a new life through training and support. They provide a nine month program for women in transition.
Additional Hosanna House information.
Women's Crossroads
The program provides a supportive living arrangement for women transitioning out of homelessness. Clients in the program are given a safe and caring environment to live in, along with wrap-around social services including drug and alcohol counseling, employment support, volunteer/work opportunities, and other tools to help them establish a new, more productive path in life.
Additional Women's Crossroads information.
Men's Crossroads
The program provides a supportive living arrangement for men transitioning out of homelessness. Clients in the program are given a safe and caring environment to live in, along with wrap-around social services including drug and alcohol counseling, employment support, volunteer/work opportunities, and other tools to help them establish a new, more productive path in life.
Additional Men's Crossroads information.
STEP2
STEP2 is a private, local non-profit organization that has been serving northern Nevada since 1986 and is one of only a few treatment programs of its kind to offer family-oriented services. Residential treatment program engages women in trauma-informed group and individual therapy for up to 30 hours each week, while also providing wraparound services including case management, medical care referrals and coordination, child care assistance, parenting education, transportation assistance, domestic violence advocacy and education, and on-site mental health assessment, therapy and medication assistance.
Reno-Sparks Gospel Mission
The Reno-Sparks Gospel Mission offers both emergency and long-term services for men and women in need.
Additional Reno-Sparks Gospel Mission information.
Nevada Youth Empowerment
NYEP gives homeless young women (18-24) in the Reno area a chance to reroute their lives through a structured program that provides housing and basic needs, life skills training, opportunities to practice new life skills, and the support and love of a family. A principle-based organization serving women.
NYEP provides its standardized, all-inclusive, housing-based independent living curriculum–called CLP–in our large, 8-bedroom home. We serve at least 15 at-risk, older female youth residents concurrently for one year. Safe housing, utilities, other basic supports, complex supports, mentoring, parental supports and skills training are provided and/or facilitated by highly skilled CLP staff, who monitor and record resident progress to help our youth become accountable, established young adults. NYEP’s CLP empowers young people to gain self-confidence, personal independence and personal growth while learning to meet their obligations and fulfill their responsibilities.
Vitality Veterans Program
The Vitality Veterans Program is located in a 3-home campus in Sun Valley, Nevada, near the Wild Creek Golf Course. This facility provides an extensive amount of on site services.
WC Health
WC Health offers primary care, psychiatric medication management, women's health, mental health services—all in one location. Experience their wrap-around comprehensive approach to treating patients, with a wide array of services from licensed providers. Learn more about WC Health.
Managed Care Organizations (MCOs)
- (844) 396-2329
- (800) 962-8074
- (833) 685-2102
- (844) 366-2880
Recovery Resources
To learn more about recovery services offered in Nevada, view Rehabs.org for additional information.
Many times, members of the unsheltered community have pets as companions. The following are resources available to pets in the region.
Washoe County Regional Animal Services Advisory Board
Nevada Humane Society (Washoe County Residents)
- Call 775-856-2000
Cold Nose Kennels Rescue Sanctuary (German Shepherd Dogs)
- Call 775-246-3130
Canine Rehabilitation Center and Cat Sanctuary (Behaviorally challenged dogs and cat sanctuary)
- Call 775-800-1906
Dog Town Canine Rescue (Dog Rescue and Tribal Support Services)
- Call 775-230-3703
For Pets' Sake Reno (Small dog rescue, under 30 pounds)
- Call 276-494-6718
Humane Society of Truckee-Tahoe (dogs and cats)
- Call 530-587-5948
Strawberry Fields Animal Rescue (All species rescue and rehabilitation)
- Call 775-265-3130
NorSled (Northern breeds only - huskies, malamutes, etc.)
- Call 800-471-5822
Res-Que (All breeds dog rescue)
- Call 775-771-0293
Wylie Animal Rescue Foundation (All breed dogs and feral cats)
- Call 775-833-2319
Pet Network Humane Society (dogs and cats)
- Call 775-832-4404
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