All week we have brought you stories from the City of Reno as part of our Homeless Nevada initiative.
This time we look at the Clean and Safe program.
There are lots of elements to the Clean and Safe Team. They include the City Walk team – comprised of Reno Police, city leaders, code enforcement, parks and rec and others who walk the streets and offer help.
Last year 33 people accepted services.
They also work with outreach programs like RISE, and Karma Box.
According to the city’s annual report on homelessness – in 2023 the team helped 36 people into housing – and nearly 50 were reunited with family.
This story, produced by the City of Reno shows how one local family was supported:
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Jamie (J): “I’m Jamie Peek with the City of Reno. I’m with Housing and Neighborhood Development and I’m a Housing Coordinator. And I met Michael, with the Clean and Safe Team. They were really instrumental in getting Michael into kind of, like, in contact with us. But we’ve helped him, with some rental and deposit assistance and some private funding for a motel stay while we’re trying to figure out his next moves.”
Michael (M): “My name is Michael G. St. Clair. I’m a Reno resident here in Reno, Nevada. I’m sharing my story about how outreach helped, me and my family out over the last year. My wife passed away about a month ago, so… it’s hard. This is, my wife and my three kids, Michael, Tish and Reba. My kids, they’re my life.
And I guess it was them that kind of maybe helped me realize that I needed to get out of this one situation about being in—living in the RV and getting a place of our own. Well, we were staying with some friends and, then the landlord found out we’re staying there. So I got my RV out of storage, and, we—me and my family—we stayed in it for about three years, I believe. Three, maybe four.
And living in the RV – it was rough. You know, five people in a small area. And then my RV broke down. They put a sticker on it for it to be towed, and one morning I woke up and the tow truck was there. And said that we had—they’re going to tow my vehicle. They wouldn’t even give me a chance to move it.
And they notified, you know, these people from the state. They helped me get into, you know, put me and my family in a motel until they found us this apartment. It’s good to have family and friends and people like outreach to help out. I’m glad there’s people like them out there to help. Just don’t give up. You know, there’s people out there that can help. And if they offer to help take the help.”
Adam (A): “RISE – well, especially the outreach – is mostly compiled of lived experience Outreach Specialists like myself. I was in a tent three years ago, so we understand what it’s like to have that desperation and we just try to meet people where they’re at.”
M: “Just got tired of living the way we were living. I mean, we only had my wife’s check and my daughter’s check, and we’re trying to find a place, but, you know, it’s hard trying to find a place when everybody kind of looks down on ya, you know. I appreciate the outreaches, you know. And my goal is just stay here, provide for my—I made a promise to my wife that I’ll make sure the kids always had a roof over their heads. So that’s my goal.”
A: “Well, outreach would like to do anything we could to assist you in doing so.”
M: “Yes. And like I said, I appreciate all your guys’ help and… yeah.”
A: “It’s all good brother. Yeah, I’m glad we could help.
M: “And I appreciate it.”
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If you missed any of this week’s series on homelessness, you can check out the Homeless Nevada section of our website.
