A major project is coming to the neighborhood — and it’s one that will directly impact CSN students, faculty and staff.
The Campus for Hope, a 900-bed facility designed to serve vetted individuals experiencing homelessness, broke ground last week, next door to CSN’s Charleston campus. The project is modeled after the successful Haven for Hope campus in San Antonio and aims to bring new solutions to a growing local crisis.
Kim Jefferies, CEO of the nonprofit organization leading the effort, shared sobering data at a recent meeting with CSN leadership: “We’ve seen a 450 percent increase in family homelessness, a 90 percent rise among women, and a 46 percent increase in young adults ages 18 to 24 experiencing homelessness in just the last year. The need in our region is urgent.”
But for CSN, the story is about more than proximity. It’s about partnership.
“This facility creates new ways for our students to learn, serve, and connect to real-world experiences,” said Dr. James McCoy, Vice President of Academic Affairs. “We’re exploring academic and workforce ties through clinical placements, internships, and volunteer opportunities — especially in programs like dental hygiene, early childhood education, accounting, ophthalmology, and more.”
Students may also see the Campus for Hope as an extension of the support CSN already offers through its basic needs network. With a resource hub steps away from campus, new doors could open for students seeking food assistance, housing stability, or mental health referrals.
“This is more than a facility — it’s a connection point,” said Dr. Stacy Klippenstein, CSN President. “It’s a chance for us to support our community while building up pathways for our students to gain meaningful hands-on training and career preparation.”
From a public safety perspective, the facility’s operations are structured, intentional, and secure. The Campus for Hope will not allow walk-ups. All guests will be referred and vetted through partner agencies. No violent or sexual offenders will be permitted, and the facility will be staffed 24/7 with trained security personnel and monitored entry points. The project also includes security enhancements like additional lighting, cameras, and coordination with Las Vegas Metro and CSN’s own University Police Services.
“This appears to be fantastic model with a lot of potential, I’ve never seen anything like it” said Arnold Vasquez, Chief of University Police Services. “We want to be at the table for all conversations with COH staff and leadership to ensure public safety.”
The project, which will be built on land leased from the state for the next 50 years. CSN’s Early Childhood Lab which was formerly on part of that land has been relocated to a temporary location at the North Las Vegas campus. Thanks to a multimillion-dollar investment from Campus of Hope leadership committed to funding new modular facilities for the Early Childhood Lab once a permeant location is found.
In total, the facility is expected to create more than 300 new jobs and spur a wave of collaboration between CSN and nonprofit service providers in the region.
“There will be disruptions along that way — and that’s natural,” said McCoy. “But we have an exciting opportunity to shape this partnership in a way that aligns with our mission and strengthens our campus community.”
