Homeless Evaluation Liaison Program (H.E.L.P.)

Main Phone: (775) 328-2971

The Homeless Evaluation Liaison Program (H.E.L.P.) provides a proactive approach to dealing with the homeless and disadvantaged segment of our community before they become part of the criminal justice system. This program is a joint effort between the Washoe County Sheriff's Office and the Reno Police Department.

Homeless in our community are offered assistance and resource information.

The H.E.L.P. Office provides area homeless with solutions, options, and assistance in getting them off the streets and back to family or friends. The program targets homeless individuals who may be handicapped, mentally ill, or have acute substance abuse issues. H.E.L.P. provides humane assistance, referrals, and transportation to a variety of support groups or treatment centers in our community. Travel arrangements may be made for the individual to help reunite them with family or friends in their respective hometown. Ninety-six percent of the individuals who are assisted back to family members and support systems do not return to be homeless in our community. This is a tremendous savings in manpower and expense.

The H.E.L.P. program assists over 500 people each year return back home. The program's effectiveness can be measured in part from the number of shelters in our community. At one time there were four shelters; now there are only two. Saint Vincent's is serving 200 fewer meals per day than they did six years ago.

Supportive resources have been developed over the years. Several local companies give priority to any clients sent to them by H.E.L.P. Individuals who are employable, e.g., not suffering from alcohol or mental health problems, are able to find work and earn their own bus tickets home. The Greyhound Corporation donates the office space from which the H.E.L.P. program works. By being located in the Greyhound terminal in downtown Reno, the office is conveniently placed in the center of downtown adjacent to the river and parks.

Number of individuals seen

2003 - 1,980
2004 - 1,973
2005 - 1,850
2006 - 1,766

Number of homeless assisted in acquiring their own funding to travel

2003 - 573
2004 - 495
2005 - 509
2006 - 515

Number of individuals assisted home with tickets

2003 - 327
2004 - 298
2005 - 143
2006 - 191