Supportive
Housing
Toolkit

Overview of Nevada’s Housing Crisis and Key Statistics

Nevada is grappling with one of the nation’s most severe affordable housing crises, particularly for extremely low-income households. Nevada has one of the most severe shortages of affordable, available rental homes for extremely low-income (ELI) households in the nation, with only 16 affordable units for every 100 households, resulting in roughly 86% of ELI renters being severely cost-burdened—spending over half their income on housing. The state has the second-highest rate of overall cost-burdened renters nationwide, with median rents rising from $955 in 2014 to over $1,700 in 2024. The housing deficit impacts urban hubs like Las Vegas and Reno the most, where surging rents and insufficient affordable housing exacerbate the crisis.

The consequences of this housing scarcity include elevated homelessness rates across various populations, such as families, seniors, individuals with mental or behavioral conditions, and youth. For instance, chronic homelessness in Nevada rose by 30.1% from 2023 to 2024 alone, driven by factors like the expiration of eviction protections and insufficient state and federal investment in housing development. 

According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of Community Planning and Development Annual Homelessness Assessment Reports (AHAR) to Congress, Part 1: Point-in-Time and HMIS Housing Inventory Counts for Permanent Support Housing from 2021 – 2024:

2024

• Estimates of People Experiencing Unsheltered Homelessness in Nevada – 10,106
• Total Year-Round Beds Available for Nevada – 2744

2023

• Estimates of People Experiencing Unsheltered Homelessness in Nevada – 8,666
• Total Year-Round Beds Available for Nevada – 2734

2022

• Estimates of People Experiencing Unsheltered Homelessness in Nevada – 7618
• Total Year-Round Beds Available for Nevada – 2453

2021

• Estimates of People Experiencing Unsheltered Homelessness in Nevada – 3,293
• Total Year-Round Beds Available for Nevada – 1352

The National Low Income Housing Coalition’s (NLIHC) 2026 Nevada Housing Profile highlights a severe rental housing crisis driven by a significant shortage of affordable homes for extremely low-income households. Currently, only 16 affordable and available rental homes exist for every 100 such households in Nevada, creating a gap of 78,000 homes needed to address this disparity. The Las Vegas-Henderson-Paradise metropolitan area continues to face the highest demand, with roughly 60,000 to 70,000 of those units required in the area.

This shortage arises from the inability of developers and landlords to provide affordable housing at rates that cover building and operating costs. High housing costs leave vulnerable populations, including seniors, people with disabilities, and low-wage workers, at risk of eviction and homelessness. An hourly wage of $32.94 is required to afford a two-bedroom rental at Fair Market Rent, far exceeding the earnings of many common occupations in Nevada. Access the NLIHC 2026 Nevada Housing Profile online here. 

Supportive housing has emerged as a vital solution to address these intersecting challenges. By combining affordable housing with essential services like healthcare coordination, mental health treatment, and employment assistance, supportive housing enhances individual outcomes while reducing reliance on high-cost emergency services. Evidence from other states highlights its effectiveness in decreasing homelessness, improving health indicators, and creating tangible fiscal benefits. Nevada’s rising population underscores the urgency of innovative housing policies and investments to foster long-term stability and resilience, particularly for the most at-risk groups.

Purpose and Benefits of Supportive Housing

Supportive housing serves as a critical solution to Nevada’s housing and homelessness crisis, blending safe, affordable housing with tailored support services designed to address the diverse needs of individuals and families experiencing or at risk of instability. Its purpose lies in offering permanent housing solutions for vulnerable populations, such as individuals with mental health and substance use disorders, older adults, families with children, and people transitioning from incarceration or institutional care. By providing housing paired with services like healthcare access, life skills training, and employment support, supportive housing empowers people to achieve long-term stability and independence.

The benefits of supportive housing extend beyond individual outcomes to generate measurable impacts on community systems. This model effectively reduces homelessness’ societal costs by decreasing reliance on emergency healthcare, law enforcement interventions, and temporary shelters. Studies have demonstrated that supportive housing lowers emergency department visits, hospitalization rates, incarceration, and recidivism costs significantly. It has also been proven to improve physical and mental health outcomes, allowing individuals to engage in workforce development and achieve self-sufficiency.

Additionally, supportive housing fosters community resilience by stabilizing at-risk populations and driving economic growth through investment in housing infrastructure and service delivery. It serves as a strategic investment, aligning resources from sectors such as healthcare, housing, and social services to create sustainable, person-centered solutions for Nevada’s most pressing housing challenges. The integration of supportive housing within state initiatives, such as Medicaid-supported tenancy services and the Nevada Supportive Housing Development Account (SHDA), highlights its potential to transform lives and communities while delivering long-term fiscal and social benefits.

Supportive housing is an evidence-based, permanent housing solution that addresses homelessness and housing instability by integrating affordable housing with voluntary, individualized support services. This model is designed to provide individuals and families experiencing or at risk of chronic homelessness a safe, stable environment where they can access tailored services to meet their unique needs. These services may include healthcare coordination, mental health and substance use treatment, case management, employment assistance, and life skills training, among others. The primary objective of supportive housing is to interrupt cycles of homelessness, reduce dependency on costly emergency services and institutional care, and foster long-term independence and community integration.

Core Principles of Supportive Housing

Supportive housing is centered around several key principles to ensure its success and sustainability:

1. Housing First Approach
   Emphasizing stable housing as a fundamental right, this approach prioritizes providing permanent housing as a pathway to recovery and stability, without requiring preconditions such as sobriety or employment.
2. Affordability
   Supportive housing ensures that individuals and families pay no more than 30% of their income toward rent, making it accessible to those with extremely low incomes.
3. Comprehensive and Voluntary Services
   Residents are offered flexible, person-centered support services that cater to their needs, including physical and behavioral health, education, or vocational training—with participation being entirely voluntary to promote autonomy.
4. Community Integration
   Supportive housing seeks to reduce stigma associated with homelessness or poverty by integrating developments into diverse, inclusive neighborhoods, fostering dignity and a sense of belonging for residents.
5. Cost Effectiveness
   This model helps reduce reliance on high-cost emergency and institutional services, such as hospital visits, jails, or shelters, demonstrating significant public cost savings.
6. Trauma-Informed Design
   Supportive housing acknowledges and addresses the trauma many residents carry by creating safe, empowering environments and culturally responsive services to support recovery.
7. Collaborative Partnerships
   A successful supportive housing initiative requires cross-sector collaboration between housing developers, healthcare providers, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations to secure funding and sustain effective service delivery.

By adhering to these principles, supportive housing provides a scalable framework to improve health, economic stability, and life outcomes for individuals while delivering systemic benefits to communities at large.

Components of Supportive Housing

Supportive housing operates through the intersection of three essential components:

• Housing
  Serves as the foundation, providing a secure, permanent residence through affordable single-site developments or scattered-site apartments integrated within communities.

• Support Services
  Tailored services such as mental health support, job placement assistance, and medical care, empowering residents to achieve their goals and long-term stability.

• Ongoing Tenancy Support
  Focused on housing retention, tenancy supports include lease education, financial counseling, and conflict resolution, ensuring tenants maintain their housing over time.

Streamlined implementation of these elements enables supportive housing to address both immediate housing crises and the underlying factors contributing to instability.

Types of Supportive Housing Models

Single-Site Supportive Housing

This model consolidates all supportive housing units within a single building or complex. It may include mixed-tenancy arrangements, where supportive housing units are integrated with affordable or market-rate housing units. Residents benefit from easily accessible, onsite services such as case management, job training, or mental health support. The single-site approach fosters a sense of community among tenants and allows service providers to efficiently deliver and coordinate services. This model is particularly effective for individuals or families requiring intensive, wraparound services or those facing barriers that benefit from proximity to ongoing support.

Advantages:

• Easier coordination of supportive services due to centralized locations.

• Promotes a community atmosphere, encouraging interaction and mutual support among tenants.

• Reduces logistical challenges for service providers.

Challenges:

• Higher upfront development costs, including land acquisition and construction.

• Potential for stigma associated with the clustering of individuals with complex needs.

Scattered-Site Supportive Housing

This model disperses supportive housing units across multiple locations throughout a community. Tenants live in independent housing units integrated into standard residential neighborhoods, fostering inclusivity and reducing stigma. Services are delivered either remotely or through frequent visits by mobile service teams.

Scattered-site housing provides greater flexibility in accommodating tenant preferences and adapting to geographic constraints. It also minimizes the concentration of low-income or supportive housing within specific areas, promoting a more equitable distribution of affordable housing solutions.

Advantages:

• Reduces stigma by integrating tenants into broader communities.

• Flexibility in using existing housing stock, facilitating faster deployment of housing solutions.

• Promotes tenant independence and inclusion within diverse neighborhoods.

Challenges:

• Service coordination can be complex and costly, requiring mobile or regional support networks.

• Tenants may face isolation without a centrally located supportive community.

Selecting the Appropriate Model

The choice between single-site and scattered-site models depends on various factors, including tenant needs, funding availability, regional housing stock, and land use constraints. A thorough needs assessment, stakeholder engagement, and collaboration with individuals with lived experience are essential in determining the most effective model. Both approaches support the overarching goal of enhancing housing stability while empowering tenants to achieve long-term independence and well-being.

Components of Supportive Housing

Supportive housing is a comprehensive solution that combines affordable housing with services aimed at addressing the needs of individuals and families at risk of or experiencing homelessness. The key components of supportive housing are categorized into three major areas:

Housing

Housing serves as the foundation of supportive housing, providing individuals with a stable, safe, and affordable place to live. This housing can be delivered through two models:

• Single-Site Housing: All supportive housing units are contained within a single location, allowing for centralized access to services and building a sense of community. This model is particularly beneficial for those with high service needs and is often designed with trauma-informed principles to ensure safety and well-being.

• Scattered-Site Housing: Supportive housing units are dispersed across multiple locations within a community. This model promotes integration into diverse neighborhoods and allows for greater geographic flexibility, catering to individual tenant preferences.

Both models emphasize affordability, ensuring that tenants spend no more than 30% of their income on rent. Stable, permanent housing creates the environment needed for residents to focus on their personal goals and health.

Services

Essential services are a hallmark of supportive housing, tailored to address the complex needs of tenants. These often include, but are not limited to:

• Case Management: Personalized plans to assist tenants in maintaining housing stability and accessing necessary resources.

• Mental Health and Substance Use Treatment: On-site or connected counseling and therapeutic services to address behavioral health challenges.

• Healthcare Coordination: Support with accessing medical care, managing chronic conditions, and ensuring preventive healthcare.

• Employment and Education Support: Training programs, job placement assistance, and educational opportunities to promote economic self-sufficiency.

• Life Skills Training: Assistance with budgeting, cooking, time management, and other skills essential for independent living.

Services are offered voluntarily and are built around tenant-specific goals, fostering empowerment and self-determination.

Support

Providing ongoing and tenant-driven support is critical for the long-term success of supportive housing. This involves:

• Tenancy Support Services: Helping residents sustain their housing through services like eviction prevention, lease education, and conflict resolution.

• Community Integration: Encouraging tenants to build social connections and participate in community activities.

• Access Flexibility: Designing accessible services that account for barriers like disabilities, low credit, or limited rental history.

• Financial Stability Programs: Such support helps tenants maintain housing affordability and access disability benefits, subsidies, or other financial assistance.

Comprehensive wrap-around services ensure that tenants are equipped to overcome systemic challenges, maintain stability, and achieve greater independence. Through a coordinated approach, supportive housing effectively addresses both housing instability and the underlying factors contributing to it.

Who Benefits from Supportive Housing?

Supportive housing provides an essential lifeline for individuals and families with complex needs, offering both stability and an opportunity to rebuild their lives. Those most directly benefiting from supportive housing in Nevada include individuals experiencing chronic homelessness, people with significant health and behavioral conditions, justice-involved populations, veterans, aging residents, and families facing acute housing instability.

Justice-involved individuals are another key demographic. They face unique housing barriers upon reentering society, including discrimination and a lack of affordable housing. Programs like Nevada’s Supportive Housing Development Account and HUD-VASH play a crucial role in reducing recidivism by fostering stable housing and access to services like mental health treatment, employment assistance, and addiction recovery support. Similarly, veterans, particularly those contending with PTSD or other service-related health conditions, benefit from affordable living environments that integrate healthcare and case management assistance.

Families with children, who represent a growing portion of Nevada’s homeless population, are particularly vulnerable to sudden economic pressures. Supportive housing offers these families a path to stability by providing safe, affordable living environments, coupled with services such as childcare assistance and workforce training. Aging Nevadans, another high-risk group, face growing housing challenges due to fixed incomes and increasing healthcare needs. Supportive housing initiatives tailored for older adults ensure housing stability while addressing chronic ailments and fostering social connectivity.

By prioritizing these populations with complex needs, supportive housing in Nevada not only transforms individual lives but also delivers broader community benefits, including reduced reliance on costly emergency services, improved public safety, and enhanced economic stability for the state.

Current State of Supportive Housing in Nevada

Nevada currently faces an acute housing crisis, exemplified by the stark shortage of affordable and available housing for extremely low-income households. The state provides only 17 affordable homes for every 100 renters in this income bracket, the lowest ratio in the nation. This disparity particularly impacts populations with complex needs, including those experiencing homelessness, behavioral health challenges, and justice involvement. The financial strain on these individuals is immense, with 86% of extremely low-income renters considered severely cost-burdened—devoting more than half of their income to housing and leaving insufficient resources for essentials such as food and healthcare.

• Supportive housing is recognized as an essential solution to these challenges. By combining stable, affordable housing with tailored tenancy support services, this model has proven effective in tackling chronic homelessness and high-cost system interactions, including emergency healthcare visits, incarceration, and recidivism. This holistic approach fosters security and stability while reducing public costs and improving individual outcomes. For instance, evidence reveals that supportive housing reduces emergency interventions and enhances mental and physical health, allowing residents to rebuild their lives with access to workforce development, healthcare, and ongoing support.
• Nevada has made incremental progress in addressing supportive housing needs through initiatives such as the Nevada Supportive Housing Development Account and the integration of Medicaid funding for housing-related services. These efforts provide a foundation for expansion, yet significant gaps remain. An estimated 6,924 additional supportive housing units are required to accommodate high-risk populations, including aging adults, individuals with disabilities, and those transitioning from institutions such as correctional facilities or foster care.
• Rural and urban areas alike face unique housing challenges throughout Nevada. While the urban centers struggle with skyrocketing rent prices and dense populations in transition, rural areas grapple with minimal infrastructure and scarce housing opportunities. The persistence of inequities, such as the overrepresentation of certain racial groups and justice-involved individuals among the homeless population, further underlines the need for cross-sector collaborations and targeted investments.
• Supportive housing in Nevada must evolve to provide equitable, scalable solutions for the state’s most vulnerable residents. Programs leveraging Medicaid’s “in lieu of services” (ILOS) funding and Housing First models show promise in facilitating sustainable outcomes. However, without significant investments, improvements in policy integration, and a unified commitment to addressing housing and health needs, achieving housing stability for all Nevadans will remain an elusive challenge. Furthermore, partnerships with faith-based organizations, local nonprofits, and public entities are essential to maximize resources and address this crisis effectively.

Gaps and Challenges in Housing Availability and Services

Nevada continues to grapple with extensive and multifaceted challenges in addressing housing accessibility and stability, especially for its most vulnerable populations. Among the most critical gaps is the severe shortage of affordable rental units for extremely low-income households. The state provides only 17 affordable homes for every 100 renters in this income bracket, This imbalance intensifies the housing cost burden across the state, where 86% of extremely low-income renters are severely cost-burdened, spending over half their income on housing-related expenses. This leaves minimal financial resources for other essential needs such as food, healthcare, and transportation, perpetuating cycles of poverty and instability.

Complicating these issues is Nevada’s limited investment in affordable housing development, which heavily favors middle- and upper-income groups while scarce funding and inadequate systemic coordination hinder the expansion of attainable housing solutions. Long waitlists for supportive housing, coupled with systemic inequities, create significant barriers for high-priority groups like families with children, individuals exiting incarceration, and those with behavioral or physical health challenges. Additionally, rural and frontier regions face unique hurdles, including acute service provider shortages, geographical isolation, and limited transportation options, further restricting access to assistance.

Structural weaknesses within federal and state policy frameworks exacerbate the crisis. For instance, Medicaid funding, while integral to covering some tenants’ supportive service needs, continues to have gaps in implementation particularly for those not covered under Managed Care. Simultaneously, reliance on legacy measurement tools and uncoordinated local efforts has hampered the creation of comprehensive data collection systems necessary for thorough needs assessments and impact evaluations. The lack of alignment between housing, healthcare, and homelessness support services further complicates efforts to address root causes of homelessness holistically.

On the organizational level, many service providers lack the technical expertise and capacity required to meet reporting, compliance, and operational needs associated with complex supportive housing initiatives. Escalating construction costs, supply chain delays, and sharply rising insurance rates further strain the feasibility of both single-site and scattered-site supportive housing developments, leading to higher upfront and operational costs. These obstacles underscore the need for robust funding mechanisms, targeted policy reforms, and cross-sector collaboration to enable equitable, sustainable, and effective housing solutions for Nevada’s diverse population.

Key Demographics Impacted

Supportive housing initiatives in Nevada are designed to address the state’s severe housing crisis, particularly targeting populations who face significant barriers to securing stable housing due to complex health, economic, and societal factors. Based on the Corporation for Supportive Housing’s findings, the following key demographics are disproportionately affected and require tailored interventions:

1. Older Adults and Seniors
   With a rapidly increasing older adult population, many seniors in Nevada face housing challenges due to fixed incomes and rising costs. Older residents reliant on Social Security struggle to secure affordable housing, especially in areas with limited resources. This group often contends with chronic health conditions, disabilities, and isolation, further complicating their access to stable housing and necessary support services.
2. Veterans
   Veterans experiencing homelessness in Nevada constitute a significant and vulnerable demographic, with 51% reported as unsheltered. Many face barriers such as mental health challenges, PTSD, and substance use disorders. Programs like HUD-VASH (Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing) have been instrumental in targeting this group, but gaps in housing availability and access to services persist.
3. Families with Children
   Families with dependent children represent a growing proportion of the homeless population in Nevada, often driven by economic pressures, eviction rates, and a lack of affordable housing. Homelessness disrupts access to education, healthcare, and stability for children, necessitating comprehensive family-centered housing programs.
4. Justice-Involved Individuals
   Formerly incarcerated individuals face unique barriers to stable housing, such as discrimination based on conviction history, limited support networks, and economic instability. These challenges contribute to high rates of recidivism without adequate supportive housing and wraparound services to facilitate reentry into the community.
5. Individuals with Behavioral Health Challenges
   People with serious mental illness (SMI), substance use disorders (SUD), or co-occurring conditions experience disproportionately high rates of housing instability. Without appropriate support, these individuals often cycle between homelessness, emergency healthcare, and the criminal justice system. Supportive housing offers a crucial foundation for health stability and self-sufficiency.
6. Chronically Homeless Individuals
   This group includes individuals who have experienced long-term or repeated episodes of homelessness, often compounded by disabling conditions. Addressing the needs of chronically homeless individuals requires integrated models like Housing First, which ensure immediate access to stable housing alongside tailored, voluntary services.
7. Survivors of Domestic Violence
   Women and families fleeing domestic violence frequently face immediate housing crises. This group requires trauma-informed support and safe housing environments to rebuild their lives, emphasizing the importance of tailored interventions that address both safety and long-term stability.
8. Youth and Transition-Aged Young Adults (TAY)
   Unaccompanied minors and youth aged 18–24 face unique vulnerabilities, including a lack of support systems and barriers to independent living. Nevada’s homeless youth population has seen a rise, necessitating targeted programs that offer both housing and services such as education, workforce training, and counseling.
9. Rural and Native American Communities
   Rural areas in Nevada experience distinct challenges, such as limited housing availability, transportation, and access to services. Native American populations—including those on tribal lands—are disproportionately affected by systemic inequities, underfunded housing programs, and health vulnerabilities. Collaborative efforts between tribal organizations and state agencies are essential to address these needs.

Demographics impacted by Nevada’s housing crisis reflect a diverse range of needs, highlighting the necessity for equitable, targeted, and sustainable supportive housing solutions. Effective strategies must incorporate cross-sector collaboration, culturally competent approaches, and policies that address the unique experiences of each group to create long-term stability and community well-being.

Supportive housing is a proven solution to Nevada’s escalating housing and health crises, addressing both economic disparities and public health challenges. By combining affordable housing with individualized support services, it empowers individuals with complex needs to achieve stability and independence while significantly benefitting communities and reducing public costs. The integration of housing and services disrupts expensive cycles of homelessness, criminal justice involvement, and reliance on high-cost emergency healthcare systems.

Nevada’s housing deficits have placed a considerable financial strain on vulnerable populations, particularly those struggling with chronic health conditions, behavioral challenges, and economic difficulties. Supportive housing reduces emergency service usage, including fewer hospitalizations and emergency room visits, and less reliance on shelters and public encampments. For example, individuals with access to supportive housing exhibit significant decreases in emergency care utilization, alongside improved health outcomes, such as better management of chronic illnesses and increased access to preventative care.

On the economic front, supportive housing demonstrates measurable cost savings and return on investment (ROI). By shifting resources away from reactive spending—like emergency healthcare and law enforcement interventions—and focusing on sustainable solutions, Nevada can achieve cost neutrality over time while fostering long-term housing stability. States like Ohio and Montana have shown how supportive housing reduces recidivism and health system dependency, generating substantial savings while improving quality of life for residents.

Additionally, successful models from other states showcase the impactful fiscal and health returns of supportive housing initiatives. For instance, targeted programs addressing homelessness after incarceration have reduced rearrest rates dramatically while lowering criminal justice costs. Similarly, investments in housing-first approaches have been proven to reduce healthcare costs by minimizing emergency visits and prioritizing office-based medical care.

Advancing the development of supportive housing as outlined in Nevada’s strategic initiatives—including the Nevada Supportive Housing Development Account and Medicaid integration for housing-related services—will further enhance these outcomes. By coupling housing solutions with comprehensive health and social services, the state is positioned to address root causes of homelessness and foster long-term community resilience and sustainability.

Cost Avoidance

Supportive housing minimizes the financial burden on public systems by decreasing the frequency of emergency room visits, hospital stays, and interactions with law enforcement. For example:

• Emergency Healthcare Savings: Studies show that supportive housing can lead to a 24% reduction in emergency department visits and a 29% reduction in hospitalizations, saving millions annually.

• Reduction in Public Safety Costs: By creating stable environments for individuals, incidents that require law enforcement intervention are minimized, allowing resources to be reallocated to other public safety needs.

• Decreased Recidivism Rates: Programs such as CSH Returning Home Ohio and Community Transition Program initiatives have demonstrated a 40% reduction in recidivism rates, showcasing how stable housing disrupts cycles of incarceration and its financial implications.

Return on Investment (ROI)

Investing in supportive housing demonstrates a high ROI, with savings offsetting the initial costs through long-term reductions in public expenditures. Examples include:

• Denver Supportive Housing Impact Bond Initiative: This program saw a 40% reduction in jail stays and a 30% reduction in police contacts while delivering substantial public cost savings.

• Los Angeles Housing for Health Program: Reported a 67% decrease in emergency department visits and a 77% reduction in inpatient stays, achieving net savings within the first year.

Community and Economic Growth

By stabilizing individuals through permanent housing and support services, supportive housing promotes workforce reintegration and long-term economic productivity:

• Access to secure housing fosters better health outcomes, enabling individuals to pursue employment and reduce dependency on public assistance.

• The construction and operation of supportive housing developments generate economic activity, creating jobs and stimulating local economies.

Fiscal Sustainability

The cost of emergency services often exceeds the funding required for supportive housing:

• Emergency shelters, while providing temporary solutions, are more expensive per individual compared to permanent supportive housing models, which offer long-term solutions.

• Studies highlight that reallocating resources from reactive measures, such as shelter funding, to preventative solutions like supportive housing, yields significant fiscal and social benefits for communities.

Supportive housing initiatives effectively balance compassion with financial efficiency, making them a prudent investment for Nevada. By scaling and prioritizing these programs, the state not only alleviates homelessness but also achieves measurable savings, improving outcomes for individuals and communities alike.

Positive Community Impact

On a community level, supportive housing reduces the reliance on high-cost emergency services like hospital visits, shelters, and interactions with law enforcement. This, in turn, eases the burden on public resources and redirects funds towards proactive, sustainable solutions. Communities benefit from greater stability and safety as individuals previously impacted by homelessness are provided with the tools to reintegrate and contribute positively. Furthermore, the economic ripple effect of supportive housing, such as job creation through construction and service provision, promotes local growth and resilience.

Nevada’s focus on initiatives such as the Nevada Supportive Housing Development Account underscores the state’s commitment to fostering these tangible, long-term benefits. By addressing the root causes of homelessness and housing instability, supportive housing not only transforms lives but also builds stronger, more equitable, and healthier neighborhoods across the state. This holistic approach exemplifies the practical and social value of making supportive housing a central element of Nevada’s strategy to combat housing insecurity.

Case Studies

The case studies highlighted provide a compelling narrative about the practical and economic benefits of supportive housing in tackling homelessness and housing instability across various U.S. states. These examples underscore the significance of integrating housing strategies with tailored support services to deliver measurable outcomes impacting health, community stability, and public cost savings. Below are key insights from the summarized case studies:

1. Montana:
   Supportive housing initiatives in Bozeman demonstrated a clear impact on community health outcomes. There was a reported 42.2% reduction in emergency department visits, alongside a 47.2% increase in behavioral health appointments. Additionally, 75% of tenants indicated better overall mental and physical health, validating the approach’s efficacy in improving life quality and reducing strain on healthcare systems.
   
   
2. Denver, Colorado:
   Denver’s housing-first supportive housing model yielded robust results within two years. Participants experienced an average of six fewer emergency department visits, coupled with increased office-based health visits and prescription adherence. These outcomes highlight the dual capability of this intervention to alleviate immediate housing needs and foster health service engagement, driving down public costs linked to emergency care.
3. Houston, Texas:
   The “Way Home Initiative” in Houston showcases the transformational power of comprehensive, coordinated efforts. Over 12 years, the program achieved a 64% reduction in homelessness by prioritizing the Housing First model, leveraging partnerships among over 100 organizations. By eliminating preconditions such as sobriety and emphasizing swift housing access, Houston has become a national model for addressing homelessness effectively and sustainably.
4. Ohio:
   Programs in Ohio emphasized recidivism reduction for previously incarcerated individuals. Collaborative interventions between departments of rehabilitation and mental health facilitated housing access post-incarceration, yielding a low rate of re-incarceration—below 9%. This outcome not only reduces the cycle of homelessness for justice-involved individuals but also provides fiscal efficiency by minimizing criminal justice expenses.
5. Los Angeles County, California:
   The Housing for Health Program in Los Angeles achieved remarkable systemic cost savings by supporting high-acuity individuals. Emergency room visits decreased by 67%, and inpatient stays dropped by 77% within the first year. These dramatic improvements underline housing’s integral role in stabilizing vulnerable populations, reducing immediate healthcare costs, and creating pathways to long-term well-being.

These cases collectively affirm that supportive housing functions not only as a humanitarian measure but also as a cost-effective solution for public systems burdened by cyclical crises of homelessness, health, and justice. Nevada could leverage these lessons to scale its programs, reduce financial strain on state resources, and improve the lives of its residents. By aligning investments in housing with evidence-based service integration, the state can achieve measurable outcomes that exemplify both economic stewardship and social equity.

Evidence from Nevada Initiatives: Medicaid Integration into Housing Services

Nevada has made considerable progress toward addressing its acute affordable housing shortage and homelessness crisis through pivotal initiatives like the integration of Medicaid funding into housing-related services and targeted supportive housing programs. These efforts align with the broader goal of stabilizing individuals with complex needs while alleviating strain on high-cost public systems.

One of the key innovations in Nevada is the integration of Medicaid funding for housing-related services, classified under the “in lieu of services” (ILOS) initiative. This approach acknowledges housing as a fundamental determinant of health. Through this initiative, Managed Care Organizations (MCOs) in Nevada are beginning to offer coverage for pre-tenancy and tenancy-sustaining support services, providing vulnerable populations—such as those with chronic health conditions or mental health challenges—the stability needed to maintain independent living. While the program currently excludes certain populations, such as the Aged, Blind, and Disabled (ABD) individuals, it highlights a significant step forward in aligning healthcare funding with housing needs.

The Nevada Supportive Housing Development Account (SHDA), established through Assembly Bill 310, represents another critical advancement. This fund serves as a financing mechanism to support the development of supportive housing for populations with complex needs, including individuals experiencing chronic homelessness, those with disabling conditions, and justice-involved individuals reentering communities. By facilitating service-connected affordable housing construction, the SHDF plays an instrumental role in bridging the gap between housing and health systems.

Additionally, the state’s adoption of the Housing First model has demonstrated success in reducing rates of chronic homelessness. Faith-based groups and nonprofits have leveraged programs like Project-Based Vouchers (PBVs) and other state and federal resources to develop both single-site and scattered-site supportive housing models. These approaches emphasize providing stable, permanent housing coupled with integrated support services.

Nevada’s ongoing efforts exemplify the state’s commitment to addressing housing disparities while prioritizing evidence-based solutions. By expanding the use of Medicaid funding, fostering public-private partnerships, and financing innovative housing initiatives, Nevada serves as a model for how comprehensive strategies can mitigate homelessness and promote sustainable community health outcomes. Such initiatives are paving the way for scalable solutions to meet the pressing needs of underserved populations in the state.

Available Federal, State, and Local Funding Programs

Nevada’s critical shortage of affordable housing demands innovative and substantial funding solutions to address the growing needs of its most vulnerable populations. With only 17 affordable and available homes for every 100 extremely low-income renters, the state must rely on a blend of federal, state, and local funding programs to bridge this gap effectively. This section outlines key resources across multiple levels of governance and their potential impact on advancing supportive housing development.

Federal Funding Programs

1. Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC)
   The 9% LIHTC and 4% LIHTC provide vital incentives for developers to construct or rehabilitate affordable rental housing. Administered by the Nevada Housing Division (NHD), these tax credits require compliance with affordability thresholds, such as limiting rents based on 50-60% of the area median income (AMI). Nevada has effectively utilized these credits, with additional support from its state-level housing tax credit.
2. HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME)
   This federally funded block grant initiative supports the creation, rehabilitation, and rental assistance for affordable housing projects. Nevada partners with local stakeholders to allocate HOME funds, with a required focus on extremely low-income households.
3. National Housing Trust Fund (NHTF)
   The NHTF specifically aims to produce and preserve affordable housing for extremely low-income families, including those transitioning out of homelessness.
4. Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH)
   A HUD and VA partnership providing rental assistance and supportive services to homeless veterans, ensuring long-term housing stability.
5. USDA Rural Housing Programs
   Targeted to rural areas, these programs, including Direct Loans and Multifamily Housing Loan Guarantees, support the development or preservation of affordable housing in less-urbanized communities.

State-Level Funding Initiatives

1. Nevada Supportive Housing Development Account (SHDA)
   Established under Assembly Bill 310, this fund is a pivotal mechanism for financing supportive housing projects tailored to the state’s vulnerable populations, including behavioral health clients, justice-involved individuals, and individuals at risk of or experiencing homelessness.
2. Account for Affordable Housing Trust Fund (AAHTF)
   Funded by property transfer taxes, this resource supports rental assistance and gap financing for affordable and supportive housing projects across Nevada.
3. Nevada Medicaid Programs
   Nevada has initiated Medicaid reforms geared toward providing housing-related services (HRS), such as tenancy support and case management, to individuals facing housing instability. These services, supported through Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) and the “in lieu of services” (ILOS) authorization, address the intersection of healthcare and housing for high-need populations.

Local and Collaborative Initiatives

1. Community Housing Fund (CHF)
   Unique to Clark County, this initiative bridges funding gaps in affordable housing projects by providing financing for critical developments, adding thousands of new rental units across the region.
2. Continuum of Care (CoC) Programs – Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
   Nevada’s three Continuums of Care (Clark County/Las Vegas, Reno/Sparks/Washoe County, and Nevada Balance of State) prioritize funding for permanent supportive housing programs. These federally funded programs integrate rental subsidies with supportive services, tailored to meet the needs of people transitioning out of homelessness.
3. Faith-Based and Nonprofit Collaborations
   Faith-based organizations and nonprofits actively utilize state and federal grants, transforming underused community spaces into affordable housing while advocating for zoning reforms and tenant protections.

Critical Challenges and Key Considerations

While these funding streams provide essential support, their fragmented nature calls for streamlined processes and enhanced cross-sector collaboration. Additionally, escalating construction costs, limited housing stocks, and administrative complexities pose barriers to efficiently leveraging these resources. To overcome these hurdles, Nevada must prioritize capacity building for housing providers, foster partnerships among public, private, and nonprofit sectors, and align data sharing and eligibility criteria across funding programs.

Nevada’s commitment to leveraging diverse funding mechanisms demonstrates its strategic approach to mitigating homelessness and expanding supportive housing. By continuing to align resources and enhance partnerships, the state can strengthen its housing infrastructure and improve outcomes for individuals and families in need.

Key Subsidies and Rental Assistance Programs

Access to safe, affordable, and stable housing is a critical foundation for well-being, yet many individuals and families in Nevada encounter substantial barriers in achieving it. The availability of subsidies and rental assistance programs plays a critical role in addressing Nevada’s acute housing shortage, particularly for extremely low-income households. 

To address these challenges, a range of rental assistance programs, including the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program and other resources, have been established at federal, state, and local levels. These efforts are designed to reduce housing instability, prevent homelessness, and provide essential support to vulnerable populations such as low-income households, seniors, veterans, individuals with disabilities, and those transitioning from institutional settings. 

Through collaboration and innovative approaches, these programs utilize multiple funding sources to expand access to affordable housing and promote stronger, more inclusive communities across Nevada. These key funding mechanisms provide essential financial support to ensure vulnerable populations gain access to stable, affordable housing.

Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program

The HCV program is the largest federal initiative in the United States aimed at making housing affordable to very low-income individuals and families, seniors, and individuals with disabilities. Funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and administered locally by public housing agencies (PHAs), the program offers tenant-based assistance, allowing participants to select housing in the private market that meets their needs. Through the HCV program, PHAs pay a housing subsidy directly to landlords, while participating households typically contribute about 30% of their income toward rent. Landlords retain the ability to choose tenants, but PHAs are responsible for determining eligibility and ensuring units meet health and safety standards. Vouchers are also portable, enabling participants to relocate to any area where the program is available. Additionally, some PHAs provide a homeownership option, allowing vouchers to support homeownership costs rather than rental payments. This program plays a critical role in expanding access to safe and stable housing across Nevada and the nation.

Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC)

The LIHTC program remains a vital resource for financing the construction and rehabilitation of affordable housing in Nevada. Offered as either competitive 9% credits or non-competitive 4% credits (paired with tax-exempt bonds), the program requires adherence to eligibility criteria, such as income averaging and rent restrictions. The program serves a critical function in incentivizing developers to create and maintain affordable housing options in both urban and rural areas. Since its inception, LIHTC has significantly contributed to expanding housing stock for families, individuals with disabilities, and veterans.

HUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH)

VASH combines housing choice vouchers with case management and clinical services provided by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Targeted at homeless veterans, this program has demonstrated success in reducing homelessness among this population while delivering tailored, wraparound support. With integrated services focusing on long-term stability, VASH fosters self-sufficiency and improves quality of life for veterans transitioning back to secure housing.

Section 811 Supportive Housing for Persons with Disabilities

Administered by the Nevada Housing Division, the Section 811 program provides project-based rental assistance for extremely low-income households wherein one adult member has a disability. It prioritizes individuals transitioning from institutional care or those at risk of institutionalization. By subsidizing rent and coordinating with community-based Medicaid programs, Section 811 ensures sustainable and integrated housing solutions for some of the state’s most vulnerable residents.

Project-Based Vouchers (PBV)

Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) in Nevada implement PBVs as part of the Housing Choice Voucher program, attaching subsidies directly to specific housing developments to secure affordability for tenants. Similarly, PHAs administer special-purpose vouchers, including those under programs like the Family Unification Program (FUP) or Foster Youth to Independence (FYI). These resources are crucial for addressing high-risk populations, such as families involved in child welfare systems or youth aging out of foster care.

State and Local Initiatives

Nevada’s Account for Affordable Housing Trust Funds (AAHTF) and the Community Housing Fund (CHF) represent state and local efforts to support the development, preservation, and affordability of housing projects. Administered through general revenue funding and real property transfer taxes, these programs provide gap financing for supportive housing developments that address homelessness, domestic violence, and substance use challenges. Efforts such as Assembly Bill 310, which introduced the Nevada Supportive Housing Development Fund, are pivotal in meeting the state’s housing demands while fostering public-private collaboration.

Continuums of Care (CoCs)

Nevada’s three CoCs—Clark County/Las Vegas, Reno/Washoe County, and the Balance of State—play an integral role in administering federal HUD funding to address homelessness comprehensively. These programs offer diverse funding streams for permanent housing, supportive services, transitional housing, and Homeless Management Information Systems (HMIS). CoCs work across sectors to address the systemic causes of homelessness and support sustainable solutions through evidence-based practices.

Housing Choice and Emergency Rental Assistance

Programs like the Housing Choice Voucher program and emergency rental assistance initiatives ensure low-income households maintain housing stability amidst economic challenges. The CARES Housing Assistance Program also continues to play a vital role in supporting renters impacted by the pandemic through targeted subsidies.

These subsidies and rental assistance programs are essential components of Nevada’s strategy for bridging the housing gap and providing both immediate relief and long-term solutions for its residents. By aligning local, state, and federal resources, Nevada is steadily advancing its commitment to expanding affordable housing and enhancing supportive services for its vulnerable populations.

Medicaid’s Role in Supportive Housing Funding

Supportive housing relies on “Housing Related Services” (HRS) or “Housing Supports and Services” (HSS), which are often funded through Medicaid mechanisms, such as Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waivers and the “In Lieu of Services” (ILOS) model. These services include essential pre-tenancy and tenancy-sustaining supports, case management, behavioral health care, and housing transition services. HRS allows tenants to address non-medical needs, helping ensure they have the necessary support to achieve long-term housing stability while reducing their reliance on high-cost emergency interventions.

Nevada’s Medicaid program has taken steps to incorporate housing-related healthcare interventions under the ILOS model to address such needs. However, gaps remain, particularly for the Aged, Blind, and Disabled (ABD) populations who are currently excluded from receiving ILOS services under Nevada Medicaid’s Managed Care structure. Coordination challenges between the Nevada Housing Division (NHD), Medicaid administrators, Managed Care Organizations (MCOs), and community-based organizations further complicate the effectiveness of Medicaid-funded supportive housing initiatives.

To maximize Medicaid’s impact, Nevada must enhance cross-sector collaboration, standardize administrative processes, and improve capacity-building efforts for providers. Promising frameworks in other states, such as Washington’s Foundational Community Supports and Arizona’s AHCCCS H2O programs, demonstrate how Medicaid-backed services can reduce homelessness and improve outcomes. These models integrate housing assistance with tailored health interventions to address the diverse needs of populations navigating chronic homelessness, physical disabilities, or behavioral health challenges.

Additionally, successfully pairing Medicaid-funded HRS with affordable housing development ensures sustainability. Prioritizing Medicaid policies that align housing and healthcare services not only bolsters tenant outcomes but also reduces public costs tied to emergency healthcare, institutionalization, and related systems. With a robust application of Medicaid in supportive housing funding, Nevada can effectively expand access and provide a pathway toward stability, dignity, and self-sufficiency for its most vulnerable residents.

Tribal and Rural Housing Solutions

Nevada is home to 28 federally recognized tribal nations, encompassing a rich diversity of bands, communities, and colonies spread across 31 reservations and colonies throughout the state. Among these tribes are the Washoe, Northern Paiute, Southern Paiute, Western Shoshone, and Mojave, each with its own unique heritage, traditions, and cultural contributions. Ensuring equitable access to housing and supportive services is critical in addressing the distinct needs of these communities while honoring their sovereignty and sustaining their cultural identity. These efforts require collaboration with tribal leadership and consideration of the unique geographical and economic challenges faced by Nevada’s tribal nations.

Housing in Tribal Communities

Nevada’s tribal communities face significant housing challenges, rooted in historical displacement, underfunding, and lack of access to resources. Federal programs such as the Indian Housing Block Grant (IHBG) under HUD have played a crucial role in providing funding for constructing and maintaining affordable housing in these regions. Nearly $27 million has been allocated to Nevada tribes to address the housing crisis, yet the scale of need remains immense. Examples like the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe and the Reno-Sparks Indian Colony utilizing these funds illustrate incremental progress but highlight the necessity for more comprehensive strategies. Expanding culturally sensitive housing solutions and fostering collaboration between tribal governments, state agencies, and private developers are key steps in ensuring equitable housing access for Native American communities.

Rural Housing Gaps

Rural Nevada is distinguished by vast, sparsely populated areas that face unique difficulties including a lack of affordable housing stock, inadequate public transportation, and limited access to health and social services. The shortage manifests starkly in programs like the 2024 Rural Nevada Point-In-Time (PIT) Count, which identified 439 individuals experiencing homelessness across rural counties, with 80% unsheltered. Areas such as Nye and Lyon Counties account for much of this population, which is exacerbated by factors like chronic health issues, mental health challenges, and substance use dependency.

The integration of U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) programs, such as the Multifamily Housing Direct Loan Program and the Community Facility Direct Loan and Grant program, offers opportunities to expand rural affordable housing. These programs enable land acquisition, new construction, and the revitalization of aging housing stock to meet the needs of low-income, elderly, and disabled residents. However, complexities in applying for and managing these funding streams underscore the importance of capacity-building initiatives for rural service providers.

Strategic Partnerships for Tribal and Rural Communities

Fostering partnerships and collaborations between tribal governments, public housing authorities, local organizations, and federal agencies is pivotal in addressing both immediate housing needs and long-term sustainability. Faith-based organizations and nonprofits are increasingly vital contributors, leveraging underutilized land and advocating for zoning reforms to meet local housing demands. Partnering with developers experienced in both urban and rural settings can bridge technical gaps and accelerate project timelines.

To foster equitable housing development across tribal and rural Nevada, the following practices should be prioritized:

• Enhanced Federal-State-Tribal Collaboration: Align federally funded programs with state-administered initiatives to streamline funding and foster efficient housing development.

• Culturally Competent Programming: Ensure that housing solutions for Native American populations reflect their unique cultural and historical contexts.

• Technical Assistance and Capacity-Building: Provide tribal and rural housing authorities with the tools, training, and technical support necessary to access available state and federal resources effectively.

• Sustainable, Cross-Sector Integration: Incorporate health, housing, and community-based employment services while leveraging Medicaid and other funding models like LIHTC and supportive housing set-asides.

Focusing on innovative, inclusive, and long-term solutions for tribal and rural communities solidifies a path toward addressing housing inequities while fostering economic growth, stability, and dignity for Nevada’s most vulnerable populations.

Leveraging Faith-Based and Community Resources

Faith-based organizations and community groups hold an essential role in addressing the affordable housing crisis across Nevada. By utilizing underutilized land, advocating for zoning reforms, and fostering public-private partnerships, these organizations are uniquely positioned to create meaningful change within their communities. Such efforts often align with the missions of faith-based groups to promote social equity, dignity, and economic empowerment.

One notable contribution of faith-based organizations is the transformation of land owned by congregations into affordable and supportive housing developments. By working with developers and housing authorities, these groups can maximize their impact while addressing the severe housing shortages impacting vulnerable populations. Programs such as capacity-building workshops and technical assistance from state or local agencies can help congregations overcome challenges related to project management and funding, ensuring long-term success.

Furthermore, faith-based initiatives often incorporate wraparound services, which integrate housing with holistic support systems like mental health care, employment programs, and addiction recovery services. These services address the deeply rooted challenges faced by individuals experiencing homelessness, creating pathways toward stability and self-sufficiency.

With the affordable housing crisis deepening, faith-based and community groups in Nevada must also focus on deliberate collaboration. By building strong relationships with local governments, developers, and public housing agencies, they can better align resources with housing goals. State-driven programs and policy interventions, such as access to tax credits or funding set-asides for community-built housing, further amplify the contributions of these organizations.

Ultimately, leveraging the full potential of faith-based and community resources requires ongoing policy innovation, education, and fostering an environment that supports these institutions’ vision for equitable housing solutions. These partnerships not only fill critical housing gaps but also inspire broader initiatives aimed at cultivating vibrant, inclusive neighborhoods across Nevada and beyond.

Strategies for Aligning Health and Housing Systems

Aligning health and housing systems requires collaborative strategies that address systemic challenges while leveraging existing resources effectively. Building capacity starts with fostering partnerships between housing organizations, healthcare providers, and local governments. These collaborations enable the sharing of knowledge, data, and resources to identify gaps and create integrated approaches that meet the needs of Nevada’s most vulnerable populations.

Key strategies include establishing cross-sector communication channels to enhance coordination and avoid duplication of efforts. Developing shared goals and metrics ensures accountability and measurable progress across both sectors. Additionally, expanding workforce training programs can equip professionals with the necessary tools and knowledge to address the complex interplay between health and housing challenges.

Addressing barriers demands targeted policy adjustments, such as advocating for flexible funding streams that support both health services and housing initiatives. Regulatory frameworks should also be reviewed and updated to eliminate roadblocks to integration. By aligning priorities, streamlining processes, and enhancing resource allocation, Nevada can create a sustainable model that bridges the gap between health and housing, ultimately improving outcomes for communities in need.

Addressing Myths and Barriers in Tenant Screening

Tenant screening processes are critical in ensuring stable housing for many individuals, including those transitioning from challenging circumstances. However, common misconceptions and systemic barriers often undermine equitable access to housing, perpetuating cycles of homelessness and instability. These myths, combined with outdated or overly restrictive policies, often prevent individuals—especially those with justice involvement, poor credit, or limited rental history—from securing housing.

One prevalent misconception is that criminal background checks reliably predict tenant behavior. Studies have consistently shown that such checks are not strong indicators of successful tenancy. Furthermore, housing providers may mistakenly assume that federal law requires routine criminal background checks for tenants. While HUD does provide guidelines on tenant screening, it does not mandate the application of criminal background checks across all housing programs. Misinterpretations like these often lead to overly cautious approaches that disproportionately exclude individuals who have rehabilitated or are otherwise qualified tenants.

Additionally, inaccurate or outdated information in criminal and credit background reports contributes to housing denials. Errors in records often go unchallenged, unfairly limiting access for applicants who may have resolved past issues or grown beyond prior hardships. This also exacerbates challenges for families and individuals who already face systemic inequities, including racial and socioeconomic biases.

To address these hurdles, housing providers can adopt inclusive screening practices that center on tenant potential rather than past circumstances. For instance, individualized assessments that consider mitigating factors—such as proof of stable employment, ongoing rehabilitation efforts, or references from case workers—can provide a more accurate and fair evaluation of an applicant’s suitability. Additionally, some communities are exploring “ban the box” initiatives that limit or eliminate blanket restrictions based solely on criminal records, enabling more equitable access to housing.

Programs Supporting Justice-Involved Populations

Justice-involved individuals face significant barriers to reentry, particularly in accessing stable and affordable housing. These barriers often perpetuate cycles of homelessness, unemployment, and recidivism. Programs focused on supporting this population aim to address underlying challenges such as mental health, substance use disorders, and poverty, while prioritizing measures to provide safe, supportive housing as a foundation for successful reintegration.

Nevada has begun to adopt initiatives informed by successful national models. For example, CSH’s Returning Home Ohio Program has demonstrated that providing supportive housing can reduce recidivism by 40%, while increasing housing stability and fostering self-sufficiency. Nevada’s integration of Medicaid services for tenancy support highlights an opportunity for addressing related health concerns. Additionally, targeted coordination among state and local agencies, alongside legislative measures like Assembly Bill 310, underscores the state’s commitment to developing housing solutions for this vulnerable group.

Supportive housing provides significant cost-savings and community benefits by reducing reliance on public emergency systems, hospitals, and correctional facilities. Through partnerships with housing authorities, nonprofits, and Medicaid-funded services, Nevada aims to create pathways toward stability, economic independence, and improved outcomes for justice-involved populations. Addressing housing instability for formerly incarcerated individuals is vital to breaking cycles of re-offense and ensuring long-term public safety.

Case Studies of Successful Collaborations in Other States

Supportive housing has proven to be an effective solution for addressing homelessness and reducing reliance on high-cost public systems. Several U.S. states have implemented innovative programs that provide valuable insights for Nevada as it seeks to address its housing crisis. The following case studies highlight key strategies and outcomes achieved through targeted collaborations and supportive housing initiatives:

Ohio – Returning Home Ohio (RHO)

Ohio’s Returning Home Ohio (RHO) program serves as a model for reducing recidivism and promoting successful reintegration. This initiative focuses on providing stable housing paired with supportive services, such as mental health counseling, substance use treatment, and employment resources, to individuals transitioning from incarceration. Participants in the RHO program experienced a 40% reduction in recidivism rates compared to non-participants, saving the state approximately $2 million annually in corrections and law enforcement expenditures. Furthermore, 85% of participants maintained housing stability for at least 12 months post-release, illustrating the program’s effectiveness in fostering long-term independence and reducing cyclical incarceration.

Colorado – Denver Supportive Housing Impact Bond Initiative

Launched in 2016, Denver’s Supportive Housing Impact Bond Initiative utilizes a Housing First approach to provide permanent supportive housing for chronically homeless individuals while reducing system costs. A rigorous evaluation revealed a 40% reduction in jail stays and a 30% decrease in police interactions among participants. Emergency health visits also declined, leading to measurable cost savings for the city. This innovative use of social impact bonds, combined with a focus on integrated services, demonstrates the economic and social benefits of prioritizing housing stability as a solution to chronic homelessness.

Texas – The Way Home Initiative in Houston

Houston’s “The Way Home” initiative has achieved a 64% reduction in homelessness over the past 12 years through a coordinated, collaborative approach involving the city, Harris County, surrounding counties, and over 100 nonprofit partners. This effort emphasizes the Housing First model, providing immediate, permanent housing without preconditions such as sobriety. By integrating housing resources with individualized support services, Houston has significantly reduced unsheltered homelessness, fostered system-wide collaboration, and drawn national attention as a model for addressing homelessness effectively.

California – Los Angeles Housing for Health Program

The Housing for Health program in Los Angeles County focuses on permanent supportive housing for individuals experiencing chronic homelessness and high medical needs. A study by UCLA found a 67% reduction in emergency department visits and a 77% reduction in inpatient stays among participants within the first year of housing. This program showcases how stable housing can significantly reduce strain on healthcare systems while addressing both health and housing insecurities, with measurable financial and systemic benefits.

Montana – Bozeman Supportive Housing

Montana’s innovative supportive housing program in Bozeman demonstrated notable improvements in health outcomes, including a 42.2% reduction in emergency department visits and an impressive 47.2% increase in behavioral health appointments. Participants reported better physical and mental health, with 75% experiencing significant improvements due to access to stable housing and supportive services tailored to individual needs.

New Jersey – Medicaid and Supportive Housing Integration

New Jersey’s Medicaid program highlights the critical impact of housing on healthcare costs. Studies revealed that homeless individuals incurred 10%–27% higher Medicaid costs due to increased reliance on inpatient and emergency services. By aligning Medicaid benefits with supportive housing initiatives, the state achieved both humanitarian and economic benefits, showcasing the power of integrated housing and healthcare systems to create sustainable outcomes.

These examples underscore the effectiveness of cross-sector collaboration, Housing First approaches, and targeted resource allocation to address homelessness. States that have invested in supportive housing demonstrate not only improved individual outcomes but also broader societal benefits, including substantial cost savings and enhanced public safety. Applying these insights to Nevada’s unique challenges presents an opportunity to transform the state’s approach to homelessness and housing instability.

Overview of Existing Policies

Nevada has initiated significant legislative and policy frameworks, particularly through measures such as Assembly Bill 310 (AB310), and its permanent funding via AB 366 (2025) and the establishment of regional Continuums of Care (CoCs). These initiatives aim to develop and expand supportive housing options to address the acute gaps in affordable housing and services for vulnerable populations across the state.

Assembly Bill 310 (AB310)

Signed into law in 2023, AB310 created the Nevada Supportive Housing Development Fund (SHDF) to provide grants designed to support the development of supportive housing and associated tenancy services. This fund underscores the state’s commitment to fostering long-term housing solutions for individuals experiencing chronic homelessness, people with behavioral health challenges, and other high-risk demographics. By prioritizing grant allocations for low-income housing projects with integrated support services, AB310 aims to alleviate extreme housing shortages while improving overall community health and economic outcomes.

Assembly Bill 366 (AB366)

This took effect in 2025, establishes a permanent funding mechanism to support the initiatives introduced by AB310. It included an additional $21 million appropriation to further support supportive housing development. This legislative measure creates a dedicated revenue stream to ensure the sustainability of supportive housing projects and tenancy services for vulnerable populations. By designating ongoing financial resources, AB 366 addresses the long-term need for stable housing and integrated services, enabling communities to proactively combat homelessness and assist those with behavioral health needs. The permanent funding emphasizes the state’s commitment to creating systemic solutions, providing predictability and continuity for developers, service providers, and residents alike.

Continuums of Care (CoCs)

Nevada benefits from three structured CoCs—Clark County/Las Vegas CoC, Reno-Sparks/Washoe County CoC, and Nevada Balance of State CoC. These programs collaborate on implementing Housing First models, offering region-specific strategies to connect individuals and families with emergency shelters, transitional housing, and permanent supportive housing. CoCs also prioritize alignment with Medicaid funding streams and federal housing programs to bolster their impact.Nevada benefits from three structured CoCs—Clark County/Las Vegas CoC, Reno-Sparks/Washoe County CoC, and Nevada Balance of State CoC. These programs collaborate on implementing Housing First models, offering region-specific strategies to connect individuals and families with emergency shelters, transitional housing, and permanent supportive housing. CoCs also prioritize alignment with Medicaid funding streams and federal housing programs to bolster their impact.

Nevada’s Medicaid In Lieu of Services (ILOS)

ILOS policies allow managed care plans to offer alternative, often community-based, services like housing or nutritional support instead of traditional state-plan benefits, with approval from the state and federal government. The legislation allows for the use of Medicaid funds to cover these alternative services, which are intended to be more cost-effective and better address social drivers of health. Recent initiatives include expanding housing support services, with the goal of improving health outcomes and reducing costs associated with issues like homelessness.

These policy efforts demonstrate Nevada’s initial steps in restructuring its housing landscape. By leveraging state resources, fostering cross-sector collaboration, and prioritizing supportive services alongside affordable housing, the state builds a foundation for addressing its critical housing crisis. However, challenges such as limited housing stock, provider capacity, and fragmented funding systems necessitate continued strategic intervention and investment.

Nevada Supportive Housing Development Account

The Nevada Supportive Housing Development Account (SHDA) was established through Assembly Bill 310 as a critical initiative to address the acute shortage of supportive and affordable housing in Nevada. Embedded within the state’s broader efforts to combat homelessness and housing instability, the SHDA provides targeted grant funding to spur the development of supportive housing projects aimed at serving Nevada’s most vulnerable populations. These include individuals experiencing chronic homelessness, those with complex physical or behavioral health conditions, victims of domestic violence, and individuals reentering society after incarceration.

Supportive housing projects funded by SHDA offer a combination of permanent, affordable housing integrated with tailored, voluntary services that promote long-term stability and independence. The SHDA ensures that a significant portion of funding is allocated to projects that address the unique needs of extremely low-income households and special populations, aligning with the state’s objective of building a robust pipeline of supportive housing developments.

Operating under the oversight of the Nevada Housing Division, the SHDA supports both single-site and scattered-site supportive housing models, depending on the needs of the community and the proposed project. Leveraging blended funding sources such as Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC), Project-Based Vouchers (PBV), and Medicaid supportive services, the SHDA aims to reduce administrative hurdles and enable the layering of capital, operational, and service funding.

By emphasizing a comprehensive approach, the SHDA not only seeks to reduce homelessness and reliance on emergency services but also to enhance health outcomes, foster economic independence, and create resilient communities. Through its targeted investments, Nevada sets a precedent for innovative solutions to housing challenges while addressing interconnected health and service gaps. The SHDA thus acts as a central tool in ensuring the state’s transition toward sustainable, cost-effective supportive housing solutions.

Medicaid and Nevada’s “In Lieu of Services and Settings” (ILOS) Model

Nevada’s Medicaid ILOS model allows managed care plans to address housing-related needs as a substitute for standard Medicaid benefits. This includes services like housing navigation, tenancy support, and housing deposits, aimed at tackling health-related social issues such as homelessness. However, these benefits are optional for Managed Care Organizations (MCOs) and don’t apply to fee-for-service members.

Key Features of the ILOS Model in Nevada

• Authorization: Managed care plans can provide housing-related services if deemed medically appropriate and cost-effective.
• Services Offered: Includes housing navigation, tenancy support, transitional support, and housing deposits.
• Eligibility: Targets managed care members experiencing or at risk of homelessness; excludes fee-for-service members.
• State Initiatives: Nevada’s Department of Health and Human Services (DHCFP) is exploring ways to expand housing supports, focusing on Clark and Washoe counties.
• MCO Discretion: Offering ILOS is optional, not required, for MCOs.

Examples of Housing Support Initiatives in Nevada

• Housing Flex Fund (Elevance Health): Provides short-term financial assistance for housing needs.
• Family Stabilization Program: Partners with community organizations to assist families with children experiencing housing instability.
• Case Management Mandate: Managed care plans must provide case management for members with priority conditions, including homelessness.

Nevada continues to explore innovative ways to integrate housing solutions into healthcare through its ILOS model, fostering a vital link between medical care and social support.

How Supportive Housing Disrupts Cycles of Poverty and Homelessness

Supportive housing is a comprehensive approach that blends affordable housing with tailored support services, designed to help individuals and families achieve long-term stability and independence. By providing not only a physical space to call home but also access to critical resources like healthcare, counseling, and employment training, supportive housing significantly disrupts the cycles of poverty and homelessness. This proven model addresses the root causes of homelessness and poverty by stabilizing individuals and enabling them to rebuild their lives with dignity and purpose.

One of the primary mechanisms by which supportive housing breaks these cycles is by reducing reliance on costly public systems. Without stable housing, individuals often cycle through emergency shelters, hospitals, and jails, leading to repeated crises and escalating expenses for communities. Supportive housing reduces these burdens by offering a permanent solution. States like Nevada have demonstrated the economic viability of this approach, with funds strategically allocated to supportive housing initiatives that showcase a high return on investment. For instance, by transitioning individuals from emergency services to stable housing, both healthcare costs and public safety expenditures show significant reductions.

Additionally, supportive housing fosters better health outcomes by providing a safe environment for individuals to access necessary physical and behavioral healthcare services. Residents benefit from wraparound services, including life skills coaching, substance abuse treatment, and workforce development programs, creating a path toward long-term sustainability. This holistic approach not only improves individual well-being but also strengthens entire communities by eliminating visible homelessness, revitalizing neighborhoods, and reducing societal stigma.

By prioritizing investments in policies, Medicaid funding, and interagency collaboration, supportive housing has been especially successful in removing barriers for individuals with complex needs, such as those experiencing mental health challenges, substance use disorders, or justice system involvement. Nevada’s integration of Medicaid funding to cover housing-related services offers an excellent example of leveraging healthcare frameworks to address broader social determinants of health, ensuring sustainable solutions for those most at risk of housing instability.

Ultimately, supportive housing is much more than a housing solution—it is a powerful catalyst for breaking systemic cycles of poverty and homelessness. By addressing both immediate housing needs and long-term support services, this model empowers individuals to thrive, alleviates pressure on overstretched public systems, and fosters stronger, healthier communities.

The Role of Data in Evaluating Program Effectiveness

Some primary examples highlighted is how states like Ohio and Montana have utilized robust data systems to showcase the tangible outcomes of supportive housing. For instance, Montana’s supportive housing programs in Bozeman demonstrated a 42.2% reduction in emergency department visits and a 47.2% increase in behavioral health appointments, signaling improvements in both health outcomes and cost efficiencies. Similarly, Ohio’s programs connecting individuals transitioning out of incarceration with supportive housing reported recidivism rates dropping below 9%, compared to significantly higher rates without such interventions.

Nevada has also begun integrating data into its program evaluations. Enhancements in Homeless Management Information Systems (HMIS) across Northern Nevada allowed for community-wide analyses of trends, leading to improved emergency and permanent housing utilization. However, challenges remain, such as inflow outpacing outflow, which reinforces the importance of expanding data capabilities to preempt issues and inform capacity planning.

Data also plays a critical role in measuring the fiscal impact of supportive housing. Studies repeatedly confirm that investments in permanent supportive housing led to reductions in costly systemic interventions, such as hospitalizations or emergency shelter usage.

Evaluations like those from Denver’s Housing First initiative found significant declines in emergency services utilization paired with reduced criminal justice costs. By adopting similar data frameworks, Nevada can build a case for further investments in supportive housing while targeting resources to the populations most in need, such as those with health and behavioral challenges or justice-involved individuals.

To expand the role of data and improve program evaluation, Nevada must focus on elevating cross-sector collaboration between housing, health, and justice systems, creating shared metrics and platforms for comprehensive data sharing. By aligning resources and using detailed analytics, Nevada can model effective solutions that drive equitable, sustainable, and impactful outcomes for its underserved populations. Data, when used as a tool for accountability and innovation, forms the backbone of Nevada’s roadmap to transform its housing crisis into an opportunity for widespread economic stability and enhanced community health.

Testimonials and Success Stories

Supportive housing initiatives in Nevada and across the nation have consistently demonstrated their ability to address the complex challenges of homelessness while yielding meaningful social and economic benefits. Success stories from other states serve as exemplary models that inspire and underline the potential outcomes of similar efforts within Nevada.

For instance, Ohio’s collaborative programs connecting individuals reentering society from incarceration to supportive housing have resulted in recidivism rates of under 9%, far lower than traditional approaches, proving the cost-effectiveness and efficacy of housing-based interventions. Montana’s supportive housing in Bozeman showcased improvements in health outcomes, including a 42.2% decrease in emergency room visits and a 47.2% increase in behavioral health appointments. Similarly, Denver’s Housing First initiative led to participants experiencing six fewer emergency department visits on average over two years, contributing to improved healthcare access and system efficiency.

Collectively, these testimonials affirm that supportive housing is a proven mechanism to disrupt cycles of homelessness, support individuals with complex needs, and create broader fiscal and community-level benefits. By expanding these initiatives and drawing lessons from successful programs nationally, Nevada strengthens its pathway toward building resilient, inclusive communities.

Summary – Benefits of Attainable Supportive Housing in Nevada

Nevada, like many states, continues to face significant challenges related to homelessness and housing instability, which are deeply intertwined with broader non-medical and economic issues. The lack of attainable housing, coupled with inadequate access to supportive services, has exacerbated the crisis, leaving individuals with complex needs without the resources they need to achieve stability. Supportive housing has emerged as a proven solution, addressing the root causes of chronic homelessness while promoting community-wide benefits. By integrating housing and healthcare, aligning funding mechanisms, and bolstering local infrastructure, PSH offers a sustainable and impactful approach to improving outcomes for individuals and communities alike.

The following list outlines the essential elements and advantages of implementing supportive housing to tackle inappropriate institutionalization, homelessness and housing instability in Nevada, as detailed in this report.

• Reduces Public Costs: Supportive housing significantly decreases reliance on expensive public systems such as emergency medical services, law enforcement, and correctional facilities. By stabilizing individuals in housing, there is a notable reduction in emergency room visits, hospitalizations, and incarceration rates, which translates to substantial cost avoidance. Supportive housing significantly decreases reliance on expensive public systems such as emergency medical services, law enforcement, and correctional facilities. By stabilizing individuals in housing, there is a notable reduction in emergency room visits, hospitalizations, and incarceration rates, which translates to substantial cost avoidance.
• Decreases Healthcare Spending: Chronic homelessness often leads to costly emergency health interventions. Supportive housing addresses the root causes of these health challenges, resulting in fewer emergency room visits and hospital admissions. Studies show that supportive housing can reduce ED visits by as much as 25% and hospital readmissions by 20%, saving millions annually on healthcare costs.
• Reduces Burden on Law Enforcement: The supportive housing model helps decrease interactions with law enforcement by providing stable environments that reduce public disturbances, mental health crises, and substance-related issues. This allows law enforcement resources to be redirected to other public safety needs.
• High Return on Investment (ROI): Studies from regions like Denver and Los Angeles County demonstrate that supportive housing programs yield impressive ROI by offsetting upfront housing and service costs with long-term savings in healthcare, emergency, and criminal justice systems. Studies from regions like Denver and Los Angeles County demonstrate that supportive housing programs yield impressive ROI by offsetting upfront housing and service costs with long-term savings in healthcare, emergency, and criminal justice systems.
• Improves Housing Stability and Outcomes: Supportive housing enables individuals to maintain stable housing while addressing underlying non-medical and health challenges. This leads to long-term independence, reduced recidivism rates, and improved health and non-medical outcomes.
• Cost-Effective Compared to Shelters: Transitioning individuals from emergency shelters or streets to supportive housing is more cost-effective, as shelters often involve recurring expenses without providing the stability and services necessary for lasting success.
• Mitigates Homelessness Crisis: By addressing chronic homelessness directly, supportive housing reduces the effects of the housing crisis on communities, and fostering healthier, more resilient environments.
• Aligns Funding with Broader Goals: Utilizing programs such as Medicaid “in lieu of services” (ILOS) and leveraging tax incentives (e.g., LIHTC) enables streamlined funding that supports the integration of housing and healthcare services, creating a more unified approach to tackling non-medical needs.
• Strengthens Local Infrastructure: Investments in supportive housing stimulate economic activity through construction, resource coordination among providers, and the sustainable expansion of housing stock, thereby contributing to Nevada’s community and economic development.

Nevada Supportive Housing Funding Matrix

Comprehensive List of Citations and Data Sources

• Brown RT, Hemati K, Riley ED, Lee CT, Ponath C, Tieu L, Guzman D, Kushel MB. Geriatric Conditions in a Population-Based Sample of Older Homeless Adults. Gerontologist. 2017 Aug 1;57(4):757-766. doi: 10.1093/geront/gnw011. PMID: 26920935; PMCID: PMC5881727.
• Cantor JC, Chakravarty S, Nova J, Kelly T, Delia D, Tiderington E, Brown RW. Medicaid Utilization and Spending among Homeless Adults in New Jersey: Implications for Medicaid-Funded Tenancy Support Services. Milbank Q. 2020 Mar; 98(1):106-130. doi: 10.1111/1468-0009.12446. Epub 2020 Jan 22. PMID: 31967354. 
• Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, “State Medicaid Director Letter: Additional Guidance on Use of In Lieu of Services and Settings in Medicaid Managed Care,” January 4, 2023. 
• Chrobak, U., & Wu, J. (2025, June 27). Supportive housing offers cost-effective response to homelessness and opioid use, Stanford Report.
• City of Las Vegas, Nevada. (2023b). HOME-ARP Allocation Plan. Retrieved: https://files.lasvegasnevada.gov/neighborhood-services/Reports/HOME-ARP_Allocation_Plan.pdf?sv=2017-04-17&sr=b&si=DNNFileManagerPolicy&sig=CWAMgg9U6DiwqtFdhh%2FEBrR3hYEUbHRPYmnYKYMq5rI%3D. 
• Clark County Nevada Government. Community Housing Fund. Retrieved: https://www.clarkcountynv.gov/residents/community_housing_fund/index.php. 
• Council on Criminal Justice (2024), Women’s justice: A preliminary assessment of women in the criminal justice system.
• Courtney Cronley (2022) Invisible intersectionality in measuring vulnerability among individuals experiencing homelessness – critically appraising the VI-SPDAT, Journal of Social Distress and Homelessness, 31:1, 23-33, DOI: 10.1080/10530789.2020.1852502.
• Corporation for Supportive Housing (CSH), From Incarceration to Thriving, Ohio Justice One-Pager.
• Corporation for Supportive Housing (CSH), Leveraging Opioid Settlement Dollars Benefits and Strategies for Health Centers, June 2024. 
• Corporation for Supportive Housing (CSH) Policy Brief, “Using Medicaid’s Housing Related Services (HRS) to Create New Supportive Housing,” Jun 12th, 2023.
• Corporation for Supportive Housing (CSH), The Evidence for Supportive Housing, May 2024.
• Cunningham, M., Pergamit, M., Gillespie, S., Hanson, D., Oneto, A.D., & Leopold, J. (2020). Denver Supportive Housing Social Impact Bond Initiative Project. Urban Institute. 
• Espinoza, M., Moore, T., Adhiningrat, S., Perry, E., Kushel, M. (2024). Toward Dignity: Understanding Older Adult Homelessness in the California Statewide Study of People Experiencing Homelessness.
• Fontaine, J., Gilchrist-Scott, D., Roman, J., Taxy, S., & Roman, C. (2012). Supportive Housing for Returning Prisoners: Outcomes and Impacts of the Returning Home—Ohio Pilot Project. Washington, DC: The Urban Institute. 
• Governing. How Houston Cut Its Homeless Population by Nearly Two-Thirds, August 30, 2023. 
• Hanson, D., & Gillespie, S. (2024). ‘Housing First’ Increased Psychiatric Care Office Visits And Prescriptions While Reducing Emergency Visits. Health Affairs, 43(2), 209–217. doi: 10.1377/hlthaff.2023.01041.
• Help Hope Home. (2022). Homelessness in Southern Nevada: 2020 Homeless Point-in-Time Count & Survey. Retrieved: https://helphopehome.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/2022-Census-One-Sheeters-Combined-07-14-2022.pdf. 
• Lim S, Singh TP, Hall G, Walters S, Gould LH. Impact of a New York City Supportive Housing Program on Housing Stability and Preventable Health Care among Homeless Families. Health Serv Res. 2018 Oct;53(5):3437-3454. doi: 10.1111/1475-6773.12849. Epub 2018 Mar 12. PMID: 29532478; PMCID: PMC6153151. 
• MACPAC. February 2021 Advising Congress on Medicaid and CHIP Policy. Medicaid’s Role in Health Care for American Indians and Alaska Natives. Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission, February 2021. 
• National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2018. Permanent Supportive Housing: Evaluating the Evidence for Improving Health Outcomes Among People Experiencing Chronic Homelessness. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. https://doi.org/10.17226/25133. 
• National Coalition for the Homeless. (2018). Vulnerability to violence and death. Retrieved from http://nationalhomeless.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Vulnerability-to-Violence-and-Death.pdf. 
• National Low Income Housing Coalition. (2020). The Gap: A Shortage of Affordable Homes. Washington, DC. 
• National Low Income Housing Coalition. “The Gap: A Shortage of Affordable Homes 2023.” National Low Income Housing Coalition, 2023. https://nlihc.org/gap. 
• National Low Income Housing Coalition. (2025). The Gap: A Shortage of Affordable Homes, March 2025. Washington, DC. Authors: Raquel Harati, Dan Emmanuel, Katie Renzi, Andrew Aurand. Retrieved from https://nlihc.org.
• National Low-Income Housing Coalition. Housing Needs by State – Nevada. Retrieved from https://nlihc.org/housing-needs-by-state/nevada. 
• Nevada Current. New Affordable Housing Units Funded from ARPA Dollars Still at Least 18 Months Away, July 26, 2023. Retrieved: https://nevadacurrent.com/2023/07/26/new-affordable-housing-units-funded-from-arpa-dollars-still-at-least-18-months-away/. 
• Nevada Department of Health and Human Services, Director’s Office, Section 1115 Reentry Demonstration Waiver Application, Richard Whitley, MS, Director, submitted on December 13, 2024, State of Nevada, Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Health Care Financing and Policy (DHCFP), Retrieved at: nv-reentry-services-demo-pa-12132024.pdf.
• Nevada Division of Health and Human Services. (2021). State Plan for Aging Services 2021-2024: Addressing Housing and Economic Challenges for Older Adults. Retrieved from: https://adsd.nv.gov/uploadedFiles/adsdnvgov/content/About/Reports/StatePlans/NV_State_Plan_or_Aging-2021-2024-FINAL_06.01.2021.pdf.
• Nevada Housing Coalition, Affordable Housing Toolkit, Retrieved at: https://toolkit.nvhousingcoalition.org/common-housing-needs-in-nevada.
• Salem, B.E., Kwon, J., Ekstrand, M.L. et al. Transitioning into the Community: Perceptions of Barriers and Facilitators Experienced By Formerly Incarcerated, Homeless Women During Reentry—A Qualitative Study. Community Ment Health J. 57, 609–621 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10597-020-00748-8. 
• Silver State Health Improvement Plan 2023 – 2028 , Nevada Division of Public and Behavioral Health , Published February 2024. Retrieved: https://dpbh.nv.gov/uploadedFiles/dpbhnvgov/content/About/2023-28-SSHIP-23-28-Final1.pdf.
• State of Nevada Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Health Care Financing and Policy. Section 1115 Demonstration Amendment Nevada’s Treatment of Substance Use Disorders (SUDs) and Serious Mental Illness (SMI)/Severe Emotional Disturbance (SED) Transformation Project. Carson City, NV. September 27, 2024, p. 4. Authored by Joe Lombardo, Governor of Nevada, and Richard Whitley, MS, Director of the Nevada Department of Health and Human Services.
• The 2024 Annual Homelessness Assessment Report (AHAR) to Congress PART 1: POINT-IN-TIME ESTIMATES OF HOMELESSNESS, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), December 2024, Retrieved: https://www.huduser.gov/portal/sites/default/files/pdf/2024-AHAR-Part-1.pdf
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (n.d.). Economy at a Glance: Las Vegas – Paradise, NV. Retrieved at https://www.bls.gov/eag/eag.nv_lasvegas_msa.htm. 
• U.S. Census Bureau. (n.d.). American Community Survey (2017-2021). Retrieved: https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/acs. 
• U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. (2024). The 2024 Annual Homeless Assessment Report (AHAR) to Congress, Part 1.
• United States Department of Housing and Urban Development. (2023). 2023 Point in Time Count and Housing Inventory Count Report. Retrieved: https://www.huduser.gov/portal/sites/default/files/pdf/2023-AHAR-Part-1.pdf. 
• U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of Community Planning and Development. (December 2022). The 2022 Annual Homelessness Assessment Report (AHAR) to Congress, Part 1: Point-in-Time Estimates of Homelessness.
• Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of Community Planning and Development. 2021 Annual Homelessness Assessment Report (AHAR) to Congress, Part 1.
• U.S. Department of the Treasury, “Spotlighting Women’s Retirement Security” by Suzanna Fritzberg, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Consumer Policy, and Ksenia Shadrina, Senior Policy Advisor. Published on September 20, 2024.
• UCLA Center for Health Policy Research. Housing for a Healthy California Program – Evaluation 2024. 
• Violence Against People Who Are Homeless: The Hidden Epidemic | Benioff Homelessness and Housing Initiative. 
• Ye VM, Caplan RJ, Consiglio-Ward L, Ellison JM. Health Care Needs of Homeless Older Adults: Examining the Needs of a Senior Center Cohort. Dela J Public Health. 2019 Dec 18;5(5):74-80. doi: 10.32481/djph.2019.12.021. PMID: 34467082; PMCID: PMC8389147.