As Albuquerque grapples with stubbornly high housing costs and an increase in people living on the streets, a city board says there’s more reason for concern. The city’s unhoused population also faces widespread discrimination, stigma and exclusion — often from city employees or city contractors.
The Albuquerque Human Rights Board published its preliminary findings last week, partly informed by a public hearing held this summer at the International District Library. It wants to see a “holistic review” of the city’s impact on homelessness and those who are unhoused.
The all-volunteer advisory board is charged by city ordinance to investigate issues and propose findings, but has no legal jurisdiction. The board hopes its intent to focus on homelessness this year will grab the attention of policymakers and the general public. It expects to issue a final report by the end of the year.
“People have been receptive to a lot of what we have to say and I’m hoping that continues,” board chair Anami Dass said.
Findings so far
The board said the city is often too aggressive in its handling of illegal encampments — citing cases of personal belongings being disposed of without notice. Current policy is to give a 72-hour notice and offer storage, but the board found the policy isn’t always followed. It wants the city to stop no-notice encampment closures, which it found “indistinguishable from theft, and violates the autonomy, dignity, and rights of people experiencing homelessness.”
The board also found some city contracts for shelter and other services had little-to-no oversight and were inadequately distributed. It recommends that contracts be reassessed with attention to quality and consistency.
In the preliminary report, Dass included the transcript from the public hearing, often containing emotional testimony.
“We hope people read it and have a better understanding of what it’s like to be homeless and to navigate the system and all the complications that surround it,” she said. “I’m hoping it influences folks. I’m hoping city leaders are receptive to it.”
Further, vice chair Jack Champagne reported in the findings that several International District Library employees had concerns about “intimidation and harassment” by the city’s Metro Security Division toward those experiencing homelessness. The library has one of the only public restrooms in the area and is frequented by those experiencing homelessness.
City responds
Sometimes there is a disconnect between what city officials say and what homelessness advocates and those experiencing homelessness contend.
Metro Security Division Chief Scott Blackledge said his department’s job is to help “everyone feel safe — whether a visitor to a city facility or an employee.”
“The International District Library has requested a more significant Metro Security presence so that the library remains a safe place for all who use it,” Blackledge said in an email to City Desk ABQ. “Our officers are trained to de-escalate and get voluntary compliance from folks so that police resources are not always required.
He said his officers regularly partner with the Albuquerque Police Department, Albuquerque Fire Rescue and Albuquerque Community Safety to connect people to services.
“We take these concerns seriously and will continue to work to support our community and make sure that our city facilities are safe,” Blackledge said.
City Attorney Lauen Keefe said officials were caught off-guard by some of the board’s preliminary findings. She said there hasn’t been a sufficient opportunity to respond to allegations.
“They’re broaching into fact-finding and report writing with a very questionable process,” Keefe said. “They have now generated a report with some very, very severe allegations.”
Dass said along with the public, city officials and department heads have been invited to meetings, including the recent public hearing.
“I heard a lot of ‘no thank yous,’ a couple ‘maybes,’” Dass said.
Keefe said that many of the assertions made at the public hearing were generalities and hearsay.
“They said, ‘Well, someone told me that they saw something happen,’” she said. “The board took those statements and made some very high-level, very severe accusations against the city without any opportunity for response. I don’t think that was appropriate.”
Keefe said city officials take allegations about the treatment of those who are unhoused seriously.
“These city workers have very difficult jobs. They do the best they can under very dire circumstances, and are often confronted with harassment,” she said. “We really are working on homelessness. We’re sensitive to these issues, but it’s challenging. We meet constantly to discuss it.”
Dass said she meets regularly with Health, Housing & Homelessness director Gilbert Ramírez and others in his department.
“I want the city to respond and show the work that’s being done. I’ve tried to offer a platform,” Dass said. “There are a lot of folks at the city that are really trying.”
Up next
The board is considering future recommendations — including the establishment of an independent oversight board to monitor local social services, and the creation of a city ombudsman position to address citizen concerns. Other potential recommendations include the addition of housing status to the city’s hate crime ordinance and adoption of a homeless rights ordinance.
To read the board’s preliminary draft report, click here. Its next public meeting is scheduled for Aug. 15.