Posted inCongress & Federal Gov., Courts, Justice & Safety, Housing & Homelessness, New Mexico State Gov.

Advocates say housing, not harsher criminal penalties, will reduce crime

Albuquerque’s crime problems improve when affordable housing is addressed, not by instituting more severe penalties and longer jail sentences for offenders. That was the message a coalition of community advocates delivered to lawmakers during a virtual news conference held ahead of the New Mexico Legislature’s 30-day session which convened in Santa Fe today. Members of […]

Posted inCongress & Federal Gov., Housing & Homelessness, Local Gov.

BernCo to legislature: fund housing, homelessness projects

Bernalillo County officials made clear Jan. 9 what it wants to see from lawmakers in Santa Fe this year: $550 million directed to affordable housing programs and homelessness initiatives. The amount represents the bulk of almost $554 million in funding requests or endorsements. The board of commissioners’ legislative priorities provide a window into some of […]

Posted inHousing & Homelessness, Pueblos, Uncategorized, Westside Albuquerque

McIntosh Family Devastated by Christmas Fire

A fire that happened days after Christmas that left a McIntosh family homeless and destroyed most of its possessions is now serving as a reminder of how the local community comes together to help those in need. “The local VFW is amazing,” said Eryn Galli. “The local food bank, Bethel Storehouse has also been very […]

Posted inCongress & Federal Gov., Courts, Justice & Safety, Housing & Homelessness, Uncategorized

APD keeps arresting people with guns in the Downtown gun free zone. What happened to federal charges?

On Nov. 5, multiple officers were called to a Downtown parking lot on the corner of Central and Third for reports of a fight. When they arrived they found Noah Rodriguez, 21, and Darien Earl, 25, both had guns and open containers of alcohol in their cars, according to an incident report. Both young men […]

Councilors propose “poop patrol” for public, private property

Those who have encountered human feces on the streets of Albuquerque would say it’s unsightly and offensive to the nostrils of residents and visitors. But the effect of these deposits goes beyond the aesthetic, according to city leaders and health experts. City Councilor Tammy Fiebelkorn recently introduced legislation that would establish a $100,000 fund to […]

Posted inHousing & Homelessness, Pueblos, Uncategorized, Westside Albuquerque

Budget Bonus? Torrance County Commission presents grab bag of funding

Christmas may be over, but Torrance County is hoping there is a late present in the form of a big, fat, cash-stuffed envelope courtesy of Rep. Melanie Stansbury. Stansbury (D-NM) has said that she has $22 million to spend on 11 “shovel-ready” projects within her district and the county commission has several times bandied about […]

Posted inHousing & Homelessness, Pueblos, Uncategorized, Westside Albuquerque

Budget Bonus? Torrance County Commission presents grab bag of funding

Christmas may be over, but Torrance County is hoping there is a late present in the form of a big, fat, cash-stuffed envelope courtesy of Rep. Melanie Stansbury. Stansbury (D-NM) has said that she has $22 million to spend on 11 “shovel-ready” projects within her district and the county commission has several times bandied about […]

$70 million and counting: Gateway Center price tag continues to rise

Albuquerque’s Gateway Center at Gibson Health Hub – a massive project designed to address the city’s burgeoning homeless population – continues to need millions of dollars for renovations and operations. The center has received funding from multiple sources since the city initially bought the building in 2021 for $15 million. In a December 2023 Gateway […]

Posted inLocal Gov.

Bernalillo County Commission faced a packed agenda at its first meeting of the year

Bernalillo County commissioners took care of some New Years business Tuesday evening when they elected Commissioner Barbara Baca to continue her role as Chair. Commissioner Eric Olivas will be second in line for the gavel as Vice Chair. Commissioner Steven Michael Quezada was excused from the meeting leaving Commissioners Baca, Olivas, Adriann Barboa and Walt […]