Reno homeless shelter spared ax
RENO -- A new shelter in Reno designed to keep homeless people with drug, alcohol and mental health problems out of jail has been spared from budget cuts sought by Gov. Jim Gibbons.
Assemblywoman Sheila Leslie, D-Reno, said the governor's office is reinstating a contract with Westcare to operate the triage center.
The nonprofit group operates a similar shelter in Las Vegas.
The center will be able to treat up to 20 people and is expected to open Feb. 1 at the homeless services complex on Record Street.
A women's homeless shelter will open at the same time.
A spokeswoman for the governor said the state is prepared to provide up to $350,000 -- a 50 percent match of the $700,000 raised locally for operating costs.
