Washoe County Commissioners Approves $24 Million To Fund CARES Campus Extension

NEVADA – The Washoe County Commissioners have approved $24 million for phase three of the CARES Campus expansion.

The Board accepted a grant, granted an invitation to apply for a grant, and authorized the appropriation of ARPA cash in preparation for the Phase III proposal, which will be presented to the Board of County Commissioners in January.

The emergency shelter is scheduled to open in May 2021.

Commissioners overwhelmingly authorized the financing, which will come from the American Rescue Plan, at their Tuesday board meeting.

The third phase will include specialized space for case management, meetings, and training, as well as a welcome center, dining hall, and supportive housing.

Construction of phase two, which includes permanent restrooms, showers, and a laundry facility, is currently in progress.

Washoe County will be served by the CARES Campus.
The Nevada Cares Campus Charitable Fund, managed by the Community Foundation of Northern Nevada, received a grant of a little over $1.6 million to assist the Nevada Cares Campus’s centralization of shelter and wrap-around services. Among others, the award includes a $1 million donation from the Montreaux Cares Committee and a $500,000 donation from the Evanstad Foundation.

The Board also authorized a $12 million grant from the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2022 and directed staff to manage the fund and plan its expenditure at the Cares Campus. Washoe County sought funds through the Community Project Funding (CPF) process, formerly known as the federal appropriations cycle, to expand on the initial phase of the newly completed shelter, which included a day-use space, a safe camping area, and internet and broadband infrastructure.

The Board authorized a $3.1 million adjustment to previously approved funding from the county’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) allocation in a third action related to funding for the Cares Campus. Furthermore, the Board approved a $4.8 million purchase of property at 1240 E. 9th Street in Reno – the former West Hills facility – to provide behavioral health services.

Credits: 2 News