PETITION to STOP HOMELESS SHELTER IN PAHRUMP
We, the concerned residents, business owners, and property owners of Pahrump, Nevada and Nye County, Nevada want to stop the NyECC and Nevada Outreach from building a homeless shelter and soup kitchen complex (THNC) in ANY area of Pahrump or on adjacent land. The Project Manager (Kathie McKenna) plans to acquire land from the BLM to create a homeless shelter complex of initially 120 beds to include a commercial kitchen and medical facility, with picnic areas, playground and dog run, NYCC staff offices and Nevada Outreach staff offices and potentially other buildings to segregate the various populations of homeless - mentally ill, substance abuse, victims of other abuse, etc., on 40 acres of land donated by the BLM. A long-term goal as indicated by Ms. McKenna, is to include affordable housing of multiple buildings that will need to be hooked up to water and sewer.
This deeply concerns us. This potential building site and complex will be close to neighborhoods that are home to many young children and elderly residents. The locations will require planning of roads and other infrastructure that the town cannot afford. The schedule for the homeless facility forces everyone to leave the sleeping portion of the shelter after breakfast, leaving them to wander the streets until it reopens for the evening.
By allowing this huge complex to be built, we fear it will decrease safety in our neighborhoods, putting our children and elderly at risk. In addition, any impact on community services would fall on the backs of the people of Pahrump and Nye County to pay for, including dealing with shrinking availability for services.
The potential impact on property values is another concern. A study conducted by researchers from New York University found that proximity to homeless shelters often negatively affect property values (NYU Furman Center). Our homes and businesses are not just buildings; they represent years of hard work and investment for each of our families' futures. Moreover, an increase in crime rate associated with homeless shelters would put further demand on an already strained Nye County Sheriff and Fire Departments. It's important to note that this isn't an unfounded fear - research from the Journal of Urban Economics has shown links between homelessness and increased crime rates. This phenomenon was corroborated by the experiences of our own Sheriff while working for Las Vegas Metro. This does not include other challenges like an increase of water use, sanitation issues, increased drug use, public intoxication, bed bug and lice infestations, communicable diseases, and additional financial burdens on property owners to increase security and safety measures. All these issues are of great concern.
The people of Pahrump were not notified that there were other options for the town, but Kathie McKenna and her committee decided the town of Pahrump and adjacent Nye County needed a multimillion-dollar homeless shelter for 96 people, of which many have indicated they will not be using - they prefer to be homeless. The percentage of the population of Pahrump that is homeless is: 0.00273%, a miniscule amount comparatively speaking to the size, cost and unintended consequences of this project. Our population and infrastructure simply cannot afford all of the affects.
We challenge this decision due to inadequate public engagement, transparency, and the cost of unintended consequences. Mrs. McKenna indicated at the Oct 23 meeting, that if she can get the grants, this project will go ahead with or without the resident’s approval - there is NO overwhelming community support. We understand that homelessness is a serious issue which needs addressing but believe there are more suitable locations for such facilities away from residential areas where vulnerable populations reside and in counties with more services, water, public transportation, and jobs to offer than Nye County has.
We urge you as city, state and national officials, to prevent NyECC and Nevada Outreach from building the THNC homeless shelter and soup kitchen complex and prohibit by BOCC resolution, any homeless shelter in Pahrump, Nevada and adjacent Nye County.
Voices of Nye County, Beth Borysewich Contact the author of the petition