A Visit to the Pilot Safe Camp at the Nevada Cares Campus

Our Town Reno

Catrina Peters, a Washoe County official gave us a tour last week of the new safe camp, which is part of the new multimillion dollar Nevada Cares Campus. At the time of our visit, only 14 people and one cat were reported to be staying at this pilot safe camp so far. In the interview we are told only 50 tents in all will be planned when it moves to the yet to be ready former Governor's Bowl baseball field. Our Town Reno tried to get more details of what's being offered and responses to community concerns about what might be missing to make it a more successful and welcoming initiative. Many unhoused we spoke to previously had high hopes for the camp, but feel frustrated at the lack of space, shade, location, clarity of waiting lists and criteria to get in, the food being served there and dogs not being allowed yet, among mounting concerns. We ask these questions and others during the tour, which also included insights from Austin Solheim, the Washoe County Homeless Services Program Specialist, and Grant Denton, the head of the Karma Box Project which has been awarded an emergency contract to operate the camp.