By Patrick Lohmann A key part of what state lawmakers called a “historic” investment in affordable housing will take a major step forward in September, when applications open for what will ultimately be $125 million in loans to develop middle-income housing and affordable housing infrastructure. An interim legislative committee Monday approved rules for administering a […]
Housing & Homelessness
NM governor hiring at least two people for her new statewide housing office
By Patrick Lohmann Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s office is seeking applicants to fill at least two jobs for the newly created “Office of Housing,” a small group of executive branch officials tasked with coordinating various statewide housing programs. Creating a statewide housing office under the governor’s control was one of Lujan Grisham’s main priorities during […]
Nob Hill residents, church partner to help unhoused
The Nob Hill Neighborhood Association and the Monte Vista Christian Church have teamed up to provide some relief for those experiencing homelessness. Church members and neighborhood residents are meeting to assemble care kits with supplies that are then distributed to the area’s unhoused. The two spearheading the initiative — Rev. Dawn Rosignol, the senior minister […]
Unhoused to be offered jobs with Duke City Ambassadors
Mayor Tim Keller outlined Friday the revival of a former outreach program that employs those experiencing homelessness with beautification-related jobs like cleaning streets and sidewalks and removing weeds. The “Better Way Forward” program will initially employ 10 people in the Duke City Community Ambassadors program, which is overseen by the Solid Waste Management Department. Ambassadors […]
Working AC and a roof that doesn’t leak: City takes steps to improve, rebrand ‘deplorable’ Westside shelter
Amid ongoing criticism of the facility’s conditions, Mayor Tim Keller and city officials showed off new renovations at the Westside Emergency Housing Center (WEHC) on Thursday and used the occasion to rebrand it — Gateway West. The upgrades are welcome news for the city, as the sprawling homeless shelter had been a target of substantial […]
Are more taxes the answer to homelessness?
If you’ve watched a presidential debate or engaged in just about any topic on social media, this event won’t feel familiar — it’s designed to be highly-structured and civilized. The topic is Albuquerque’s unhoused, specifically: Are additional tax dollars needed to provide housing for those experiencing homelessness? The national nonprofit Braver Angels is hosting the […]
Housing looms large in governor’s Albuquerque town hall
By Austin Fisher At the second of a series of town hall meetings on Monday night, New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham heard from members of the public for six hours. In an auditorium at Central New Mexico Community College in Albuquerque, locals raised issues ranging from difficulty finding mental health treatment, unfair or unlawful […]
Advisory board alleges city ‘violates the autonomy, dignity, and rights’ of those experiencing homelessness
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 […]
Combatting the ‘not in my backyard’ attitude
The priorities of the South San Pedro Neighborhood Association wouldn’t be strange to other neighborhoods across Albuquerque: Increased safety and cleanliness, small business support, increased engagement with residents and elected officials. But its recent focus on housing solutions and services for those experiencing homelessness is less common. Affordable housing and overnight shelter projects often face […]
Newsom issues executive order for removal of homeless encampments in California
By TRÂN NGUYỄN SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — California Gov. Gavin Newsom issued an executive order Thursday to direct state agencies on how to remove homeless encampments, a month after a Supreme Court ruling allowing cities to enforce bans on sleeping outside in public spaces. Newsom’s order is aimed at the thousands of tents and makeshift […]