Posted inCongress & Federal Gov., Housing & Homelessness

$1M from feds would add transitional housing for homeless families

Transitional housing options for Albuquerqueโ€™s women and children exiting emergency shelters are limited and waitlists are long โ€” circumstances that can result in a return to life on the streets for families experiencing homelessness. However, $1 million in funding requested by Rep. Melanie Stansbury, D-NM, would expand housing availability for the vulnerable group. Transitional housing […]

Posted inHousing & Homelessness, New Mexico Statewide News, Pueblos, Westside Albuquerque

New Mexico voters oust incumbents from Legislature with positive implications for paid family leave

By MORGAN LEE / Associated Press SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) โ€” New Mexico voters have ousted several incumbent lawmakers in the state’s primary election, as ballots were tallied Wednesday. Former school board member and educator Jon Hill of Las Cruces defeated state Rep. Willie Madrid of Chapparal in Tuesday’s primary election. Hill campaigned in support of […]

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

Itโ€™s official: Berry-era homeless jobs program to return

A nationally recognized initiative that provides day labor jobs for those experiencing homelessness has made a comeback in Albuquerque.  The idea is based on former Mayor Richard Berryโ€™s โ€œThereโ€™s a Better Wayโ€ program, which first launched in 2014. Officials said it fills an urgent need in the face of record levels of homelessness across the […]

Posted inHousing & Homelessness, New Mexico Statewide News, Westside Albuquerque

Southwest US to bake in first heat wave of season, and records may fall with highs topping 110

By SCOTT SONNER and ANITA SNOW / Associated Press The first heat wave of the season is bringing triple-digit temperatures earlier than usual to much of the Southwest U.S., where forecasters warned residents Tuesday to brace for โ€œdangerously hot conditionsโ€ with highs expected to top 110 degrees Fahrenheit (43.3 Celsius) in the days ahead in […]

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

Former San Mateo Inn to be shelter for young adults

The cityโ€™s Westside Emergency Housing Center (WEHC) is considered a necessary but harsh shelter for the hundreds of residents who stay there, and its distant location from city services has long been a criticism. The former jail facility has been described as โ€œdeplorableโ€ and โ€œscary.โ€ Even though physical improvements are in progress, the WEHC isnโ€™t […]

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

Photos: Albuquerque Community Safety shows off new digs

The city department formed in 2021 thatโ€™s charged with, among other things, responding to situations involving those who are experiencing homelessness has a new home. Albuquerque Community Safety (ACS) is now located in a 10,800-square-foot facility at 1210 San Mateo Blvd. SE, just northwest of its previous location at the Gateway Center at Gibson Health […]

Posted inHousing & Homelessness, New Mexico Statewide News, Westside Albuquerque

AP analysis finds 2023 set record for US heat deaths, killing in areas that used to handle the heat

David Hom suffered from diabetes and felt nauseated before he went out to hang his laundry in 108-degree weather, another day in Arizona’s record-smashing, unrelenting Julyย heat wave. His family found the 73-year-old lying on the ground, his lower body burned. Hom died at the hospital, his core body temperature at 107 degrees. The death certificates […]

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

No central point of contact stymie motel voucher program

The clock is ticking on a required city report to address the metroโ€™s inventory of blighted motels and its hotel voucher program โ€” one thatโ€™s meant to assist citizens in urgent need of a free room for a night or a short stay, including those experiencing homelessness. Frustrations with unsafe and unhealthy motels and the […]