The number of people experiencing homelessness in Southern Nevada has jumped 12% over the last two years, according to data released from the 2026 Point-in-Time (PIT) Count, Clark County announced in a news release.

Conducted on Jan. 29, the single-night census identified 8,859 unhoused individuals living in Clark County. This marks a sharp increase from the last official count taken in January 2024. No count was conducted in 2025. The PIT count, coordinated by the Southern Nevada Homelessness Continuum of Care (SNHCoC), serves as a critical metric for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and Congress to determine federal funding formulas and track regional progress.

More than half of vulnerable population remains unsheltered

The newly released data underscores a persistent lack of shelter for the region’s vulnerable residents. Of the total number of people counted, 57% (5,017 people) were unsheltered, living on the streets, in vehicles or in other places not meant for human habitation. The remaining 43% (3,842 people) were residing in emergency shelters or transitional housing programs.

The census also revealed starkly contrasting trends among different demographic groups. The count found 7,206 individual adults and 1,630 people living within 499 family units. Veterans experienced a sharp 22% increase since 2024, with 605 veterans identified. Conversely, the number of chronically homeless individuals decreased by 23% to 2,074. Youth numbers also saw a decline, as unaccompanied young adults ages 18–24 dropped by 9% to 379 people, and unaccompanied children decreased by 21% to 23 children.

County shifts strategy toward non-congregate shelter

Clark County officials emphasized that while the rising numbers are concerning, the data provides a fluid snapshot rather than a complete picture of ongoing local efforts.

“Conducting the Point-in-Time Count is crucial for giving us a snapshot of how many people in Southern Nevada are experiencing homelessness, but it is just one part of the work that is being done every single day,” said Clark County Social Services Director Jamie Sorenson.

Sorenson highlighted the county’s recent pivot toward non-congregate housing—facilities that offer individual rooms rather than mass warehouse-style bedding. Since 2024, the county has expanded its inventory from six to ten non-congregate facilities, which are designed to provide stabilization and wraparound services.

A $252 million push for affordable housing and relief

To combat the rising numbers, Clark County is executing a multi-pronged strategy aimed at addressing the root causes of housing insecurity through shelter infrastructure, rapid rehousing and long-term affordable housing development. The county has committed to spending more than $252 million through 2027 on its ten non-congregate shelters and a specialized Navigation Center. This center pairs unhoused adults with dedicated case managers to link them with healthcare, behavioral health services and income benefits.

Additionally, the county currently operates 31 Rapid Rehousing programs, which make up roughly 26% of all local projects dedicated to the unhoused. For long-term solutions, the “Welcome Home” Community Housing Fund, established in 2022, has backed the development or rehabilitation of more than 5,600 affordable units. This includes 209 new permanent supportive housing units and 713 units reserved strictly for households earning less than $30,000 per year.