News Summary
Las Vegas has begun construction on an expanded Recuperative Care Center aimed at providing essential medical recovery services for homeless residents. The new center will increase bed capacity from 40 to 80, introducing mental health transition programs to address diverse needs. It follows a rise in homelessness in the area, highlighting the urgency for enhanced healthcare resources for vulnerable populations. While the new facility is under construction, temporary medical respite services are available at a nearby clinic, though capacity remains limited.
Las Vegas has officially broken ground on an expanded Recuperative Care Center aimed at aiding the city’s homeless residents in their medical recovery. The groundbreaking ceremony took place on August 18, 2025, marking a significant step toward addressing the pressing health needs of homeless individuals in the area.
The new facility will double the bed capacity from 40 to 80 beds, significantly enhancing its capability to provide necessary recovery services after serious illnesses or injuries. The original Recuperative Care Center, which opened in 2021 as the first facility of its kind in Southern Nevada, was demolished earlier this year to pave the way for this new center. Construction is set to begin this August and is expected to be completed by the end of 2026. Rosa Cortez, the Deputy Public Works Director for Las Vegas, confirmed this timeline, suggesting a smooth path toward providing enhanced care for those in need.
In addition to expanding bed capacity, the new center will introduce important programs focused on mental health transition services, reflecting the city’s acknowledgement of the diverse needs faced by homeless individuals. Mayor Shelley Berkley emphasized the necessity of such recovery services, particularly for vulnerable populations grappling with homelessness.
Las Vegas has seen a disturbing increase in homelessness, with reports indicating that 7,906 individuals were experiencing homelessness in January 2024. This figure represents a 20% increase compared to the previous year. City officials recognize that recovering from illnesses on the streets is exceptionally challenging, with shelters often poorly equipped to care for sick or injured individuals. Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows a heightened risk of disease among homeless populations, exacerbated by inadequate living conditions and limited access to healthcare.
A study conducted by the UCLA Policy Lab in 2019 revealed that 84% of homeless adults without shelter had reported a physical health condition. The existing Recuperative Care Center currently boasts a success rate of 52% in transitioning individuals into permanent housing following their treatment. The center operates under specific admission criteria, only accepting patients referred by hospitals, outreach groups, or shelters, ensuring that individuals meet defined medical requirements.
While the new facility is under construction, temporary medical respite services are being offered at the nearby Health and Wellness Clinic. However, this temporary location has a limited capacity of only 19 beds and often functions at full capacity, underscoring the urgent need for the new center.
The city’s plans for the new Recuperative Care Center include connecting homeless individuals to primary medical care and behavioral health services, which aims to reduce the reliance on emergency medical services. A dedicated second-floor mental health unit will be integrated into the new facility, though the specific capacity for this unit is still being determined.
The importance of facilities like the Recuperative Care Center extends beyond individual care to address the broader issues of homelessness and healthcare access in the community. The city’s ability to potentially expand Medicaid to cover medical respite care is currently under consideration by state lawmakers following the passage of new legislation.
Initially launched during the early COVID-19 pandemic, the original Recuperative Care Center was developed to cater to homeless individuals who required care but were not severely ill enough to be admitted to hospitals. Over its operational period, the facility served 1,115 patients, utilizing funds from the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, with most patients being referred by local hospitals. Focused on patients recovering from medical procedures or treatments, the center provided essential resources and support critical for recovery.
As Las Vegas embarks on this vital project, city officials continue to emphasize the need for dedicated healthcare resources that address the complexities of homelessness and contribute to the wellbeing of affected individuals.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Southern Nevada Mayors Highlight Growth Amid Challenges
Clark County Takes Action on Rising Homelessness Crisis
Additional Resources
- KTNV: Las Vegas to Expand Recuperative Care Center
- Nevada Current: Las Vegas to Expand Medical Respite Care
- Las Vegas Sun: City of Las Vegas Breaks Ground on Expanded Homeless Facility
- 8 News Now: Las Vegas to Build New Recuperative Care Center Facility
- Nevada Current: City of Las Vegas Wants State Lawmakers to Modify Health Housing Statutes
- Wikipedia: Homelessness in the United States
- Google Search: Las Vegas homelessness healthcare
- Google Scholar: Recuperative care center homeless
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Homelessness
- Google News: Las Vegas homelessness
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LAS VEGAS STAFF WRITER The LAS VEGAS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERELasVegas.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Las Vegas, Clark County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Electric Daisy Carnival, World Series of Poker, and Consumer Electronics Show. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce and Three Square Food Bank, plus leading businesses in hospitality and entertainment that power the local economy such as MGM Resorts International, Caesars Entertainment, and Las Vegas Sands. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Nevada's dynamic landscape.
