Fewer Nevada families and veterans found themselves homeless in the past two years, a positive sign during rough economic times. However, a new report from the National Alliance to End Homelessness labels that scenario "bittersweet."

Homelessness is down by 27 percent in Nevada, says Steve Berg, the alliance's vice president for programs and policy, and at least some credit for those improving numbers goes to $1.5 billion in stimulus money for homelessness prevention and re-housing during the recession.

"On the other hand, all those underlying economic problems are still very bad, and the money that is part of the stimulus bill is running out in many communities, so we're still very concerned that the good news is not going to last."

One indicator that more tough times still could be ahead for the Silver State, Berg says, is that the number of Nevadans doubled-up living with other family members increased by 8 percent during the past two years.

Alliance president Nan Roman says the report cites more troubling trends in Nevada from 2009 through 2011.

"Households that are paying a disproportionate share of their income for rent actually got worse in Nevada, and unemployment was also up - so, it's not entirely clear that these things have played out into the homelessness field yet, potentially."

Berg says maintaining some of the improvements Nevada has seen on homelessness comes down to making a financial commitment to the programs that $8 million in stimulus money kick-started.

"These programs actually save money by keeping people out of shelters, by keeping people out of emergency rooms of hospitals, by keeping people out of jail. So, it's a good investment. People just have to think to do it."

The report ranks Las Vegas among the top four in the nation for the highest rates of homelessness.

The full report is online at endhomelessness.org.