Why does Las Vegas attract so many homeless people from other states?

The number of homeless people living in Las Vegas grew this year and may continue to do so, police said.

Las Vegas has nearly 8,000 homeless people, according to Metropolitan Police Department officer Baron Bybee.

“This is the highest we’ve ever had,” Bybee said.

Bybee works on Metro’s Homeless Outreach Team, recently renamed the Hope and Outreach Team. He said the team’s main focus is outreach, rather than arrests. But connecting people with services takes time and multiple contacts.

If someone does choose to seek help, the Las Vegas Valley has resources, Bybee explained on Tuesday at a public event dedicated to Metro’s outreach initiatives.

The number of resources available makes Las Vegas a “hub” that has attracted homeless people from other states to the valley, Bybee said, adding that the team has received calls from people planning to travel to the city for this reason.

Bybee said he expects this trend to continue as Los Angeles prepares to clear encampments ahead of the 2028 Olympic Games. He said Las Vegas is the biggest, closest place to find resources.

Hope and outreach

Homelessness is an issue that has affected Bybee personally.

“My cousin passed away while he was homeless here on the streets,” he said. “Homelessness can affect anyone.”

When possible, officers on the team try to direct people to shelters and other resources throughout the valley.

Directing people to much-needed resources is something that property manager Tina Jasper, who came to learn more about Metro’s initiatives, said she frequently does in her own day-to-day work.

Jasper said that from her role in the community, she can see the impact these resources can have on people.

“As a property manager, we just don’t stop there. We’re social workers, we’re investigators,” Jasper said.

Guiding people toward help is nothing new for Jasper.

“They don’t want to be homeless,” she said.

While more people may continue to travel to Las Vegas’ streets in search of these same resources, Bybee said his team is also helping people exit homelessness.

Since 2018, Metro has contacted more than 50,000 homeless people. Nearly 16,000 accepted help, and nearly 3,000 have found homes, Bybee said.

Contact Estelle Atkinson at eatkinson@reviewjournal.com. Follow @estellelilym on X and @estelleatkinson.bsky.social on Bluesky.