“This new one they’re building,” Troy, 53, said, overlooking ongoing preparations for the new Nevada Cares Campus at the old Governor’s Bowl location “is supposed to be huge.”
Troy is glad the shelter will serve both men and women but other than that he says he knows nothing else about its exact plans. He says he does plan on sleeping there when it opens and he hopes it will be different than the current place he resides at, the temporary tent shelter on 4th street. “Too many rude people,” he said. The new campus might have even more, as local law enforcement and authorities are threatening sweeps and citations against those still camping once it opens, now scheduled later this month. Volunteers of America will remain as the operator. The opening will be staggered. Much of what’s been promised is not ready yet. Advocates, including a few formerly houseless, themselves have expressed concern this might be “warehousing,” where people with different problems are lumped together, which tends to create even more hostile environments.
Troy is thinking more of reorienting himself, and hopes a new shelter might offer him a new path. He has lived here in Reno for about three years and is originally from Eugene, Oregon. He says he has struggled with drinking and recently started a new program.
“I’ve had the money two or three times but I end up drinking it away,” he said. “But I’m doing this new program and will be doing a little treatment.”
Wraparound services at the Cares Campus are for future phases, not yet funded, or fully agreed upon.