Clark County’s unhoused population has increased by 12 percent since the last time it was measured, in 2024. That’s according to results from the county’s latest Point-in-Time census, released Wednesday, July 8.
Clark County is now home to nearly 9,000 people experiencing homelessness. That’s up from around 7,900 people counted in early 2024.
Among those counted, 57 percent were found to be unsheltered, which means they were living in places not meant for human habitation, like vehicles and encampments.
Chronic homelessness, which encompasses people with a disability living on the street for at least a year, is down more than 20 percent.
But self-reported substance use is up, from 9 percent of respondents two years ago, to a third of them now. Mental health challenges have also spiked by 30 points, compared to two years ago.
UNLV Associate Professor of Social Work Nicholas Barr says he wouldn’t be surprised if the number of unhoused people continues to climb. He points to social service cuts as a cause.
“One of the feeders to being homeless is medical debt and medical problems that make it so you can't work. So, for sure, we will see as Medicaid cuts go into effect, you will see an increase in homelessness," Barr says.
Over 500 county staff and volunteers conducted the census on January 29.
