Clean and Safe Program

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“Improving equitable access to public space through a collaborative approach to homelessness, health, and public safety.”

The Clean and Safe Team 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 with emergency shelters, meals, employment opportunities, case management, and medical services.

Departments Involved

City Manager's Office
Housing and Neighborhood Development
Reno Police Department
Code and Parking Enforcement Department
Reno Fire Department
Parks and Recreation Department
Maintenance and Operations Department
City Attorney's Office
Municipal Court - Learn more about Community Court.

2022 Clean and Safe Unsheltered Outreach Outcomes

244

Housing Arrangements

180

Identification Replacements

Family and Friends Reunifications

Resources Accessed

Data Snapshot

The following are statistics highlighting key environmental, public safety, and public health impacts to the City of Reno.

Year	Waste Collected	Reno Police Department	Reno Fire Department	Reno Direct Service Requests
2020	3,531 cubic yards	1,625 (contacts made)	274 (transient fire incidents)	2,022
2021	10,088 cubic yards	4,878 (contacts made)	401 (transient fire incidents)	1,758
2022	3,883 cubic yards	1,940 (contacts made)	619 (transient fire incidents)	1,748

Year

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Waste Collected

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Reno Police Department

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Reno Fire Department

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Reno Direct Service Requests

2020

3,531 cubic yards

1,625
(contacts made)

274
(transient fire incidents)

2,022

2021

10,088 cubic yards

4,878
(contacts made)

401
(transient fire incidents)

1,758

2022

3,883 cubic yards

1,940

(contacts made)

619

(transient fire incidents)

1,748

Clean and Safe Established

Interdepartmental team established to address the ongoing public health and safety emergency along the river.

December 2019
Karma Box Project

Established site navigators contract with Truckee River outreach focus. Ongoing partnership.

December 2020
Truckee River Operation

Coordinated effort to restore the corridor's natural habitat.

May - September 2021
Downtown Reno Partnership Park Ambassadors

Council approval of 1-year park ambassador pilot program.

October 2021
Reno Initiative for Shelter and Equality

Council approved 16-month peer-to-peer engagement outreach team.

March 2022

Report

City of Reno

Please contact Reno Direct at 775-334-4636 or submit a service request online to report any concerns or issues.

Downtown Reno Business Improvement District

Please contact the Downtown Reno Partnership at 775-313-4080 to report any concerns or issues in the Downtown Reno Business Improvement District. For additional information, click here to learn more about the Downtown Reno Partnership.

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Outreach Trainings

Clean and Safe Community Partners

Reno Initiative for Shelter and Equality (R.I.S.E)

The Reno Initiative for Shelter and Equality is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Reno, Nevada. Our initiative is to cultivate a greater sense of dignity and humility by providing equal access to shelter, knowledge, and opportunity. We seek to create a stronger community through the use of shared resources and mutual aid.

Learn more about R.I.S.E.

Karma Box

Founded in 2019, The Karma Box Project started out as a community initiative that allows people to give non-perishable food, hygiene products, toiletries, and other useful items to those in need. This work expanded in late summer of 2020 to include work cleaning up the Truckee River while engaging people living in encampments to keep their environment free of trash and dispose of any waste appropriately.

River Stewards
Street Keepers
Learn more about Karma Box

Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT)

Nevada Department of Transportation's mission is to provide, operate, and preserve a transportation system that enhances safety, quality of life and economic development through innovation, environmental stewardship and a dedicated workforce.

There is an established Interlocal Agreement between the City of Reno and Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT) to address public health and safety concerns on NDOT properties. Through this ongoing, collaborative approach, Clean and Safe will continue to provide outreach and resources to the unsheltered population, while NDOT manages restoration and cleanups.

Learn more about NDOT

Downtown Reno Partnership

The Downtown Reno Partnership staff focuses on advocacy and leadership for the downtown area. The partnership’s direction comes from a board of directors and board of advisors. Together, we are making a dent in the quality of life in the district.

Learn more about Downtown Reno Partnership

Downtown Reno Services

Downtown Reno Services Map

Join Together Northern Nevada (JTNN)

Join Together Northern Nevada's mission is to create a healthy drug-free community by building successful partnerships to support prevention education and outreach.

Learn more about JTNN

Keep Truckee Meadows Beautiful (KTMB)

Keep Truckee Meadows Beautiful (KTMB) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit dedicated to creating a more sustainable and beautiful region through waste reduction, education, and active community involvement. KTMB is an affiliate of the national organization Keep America Beautiful. Working with you, we will become America's cleanest community!

Learn more about KTMB

University of Nevada Reno, School of Social Work

The School of Social Work is dedicated to the values and commitments of the social work profession through education, research, and public service. It prepares effective and ethical social workers who challenge injustice and promote a more humane world.