By Jesse Jones, The Paper. — Southeast Albuquerque residents and business owners near the airport are demanding answers about how an overnight drug treatment shelter has been allowed to operate without a required permit since November after city staff gave “incorrect advice,” setting up a fight before City Councilors who get to decide if the shelter gets to stay or must shut down.
The Albuquerque City Council is scheduled to decide whether to let the Empower Health Service shelter can stay at 2300 Yale Blvd. SE, the former Ramada by Wyndham Albuquerque Airport. The shelter opened in November 2025 without a required permit after an unnamed city staff member gave “incorrect advice,” according to evidence presented to the city’s Zoning Hearing Examiner in May. But the facility later applied for and received approval for a conditional use permit from the city. Land Use Hearing Officer Steven M. Chavez recommended that the city uphold the permit approval. Chavez also recommended shortening the deadline for the shelter to meet 19 safety and security conditions in response to neighboring property owners’ complaints about crime and vagrancy. The 95,000-square-foot facility housed 140 residents as of Aug. 7 and can accommodate up to 210, according to Chavez.
The Yale Village Neighborhood Association and D. Love’s Restaurants, LLC appealed the permit together. Donald Love, owner of D. Love’s Restaurants LLC, which operates a Waffle House next to the shelter, said the facility has caused problems since it opened in November 2025, including trespassing, littering and public drug use. Chavez found that Love had standing to appeal and recommended granting his appeal in part by requiring the shelter to implement some safety measures sooner. He recommended enhanced lighting and dedicated security within 60 days and perimeter fencing within 90 days of the council’s final order. He also advised dismissing the neighborhood association from the appeal because it failed to submit the petition required to establish standing.
The City Council will vote Aug. 17 at 5 p.m. in the Vincent E. Griego Chambers on whether to accept or reject the hearing officer’s recommendation. The council will base its decision solely on the written record and public comment will not be allowed. Anyone who wants to submit written comments must send them to the Clerk of the Council, Michelle Montoya, by Aug. 13, according to city rules.