Gilbert Ramírez took the helm at the city’s Health, Housing & Homelessness (HHH) department Jan. 1, replacing outgoing director Carol Pierce. The position is a high profile one, as the city contends with a dual crisis of increased homelessness and lack of affordable housing. Roll-in additional complexities like mental health and addiction issues and Albuquerque, […]
Housing & Homelessness
Posted inHousing & Homelessness, New Mexico State Gov., New Mexico Statewide News
A personal plea: To pass her housing plan, Gov. takes the lead
This story is published in partnership with the Santa Fe New Mexican as a part of our commitment to bringing you the best in independent news coverage that matters to Albuquerque. Thank you to donors whose support allows us to license these stories. Donate to allow us to continue to bring stories like this. By […]
Posted inCongress & Federal Gov., Housing & Homelessness
City Council OKs spotlight on blighted motels, voucher program
The Albuquerque City Council unanimously passed an ordinance Monday night that creates an 11-member working group tasked with reforming the city’s emergency voucher program and addressing the blighted motels where they are often used. Councilors Renée Grout and Nichole Rogers said they sponsored the bill because the city’s blighted motels not only pose a health […]
Posted inCongress & Federal Gov., Housing & Homelessness, Local Government
Who will be APD’s new watchdog?
Tackling the problem of revamping the city’s housing voucher program is set to be debated at Monday’s Albuquerque City Council meeting. Also on the government table is taking a look at selecting a director of the struggling Civilian Police Oversight Agency. CPOA Leader Albuquerque’s police oversight agency has been without a permanent executive director since […]
Posted inCongress & Federal Gov., Housing & Homelessness, Local Government
With smiles and surveys, volunteers count city’s homeless
Car trunks were packed with goodie bags filled with granola bars, gummy bears, crackers and bottles of water as teams of volunteers carpooled to different areas of the city this week. On day and night shifts, they walked sidewalks, cul-de-sacs, alleys, bike trails, arroyos and busy intersections. They looked under bridges, scanned perimeters of vacant […]
Posted inCongress & Federal Gov., Housing & Homelessness
Issues on Gibson pedestrian bridge trouble residents
The pedestrian bridge near Gibson and San Mateo boulevards in Southeast Albuquerque was built decades ago to give residents and workers safe access to coffee shops, restaurants and businesses along one of the city’s busiest streets. But residents say recent activity on the bridge has made the journey across it an uneasy one. The bridge […]
Posted inEdgewood, Housing & Homelessness, Pueblos, Uncategorized, Westside Albuquerque
Welding Academy Blue Collar Tour makes stop at Moriarty High
On Tuesday, January 30, the Western Welding Academy Blue Collar Tour made a stop at Moriarty High School for the second year in a row. The national touring trade expo and academy aims to connect with younger people interested in the trade career field of welding. “As the only comprehensive high school in the East […]
Posted inCongress & Federal Gov., Housing & Homelessness
City councilors say emergency voucher program needs more oversight
Two Albuquerque city councilors want to take a fresh look at the city’s emergency motel voucher program – used to give individuals or families a free room for a night or a short stay in emergency situations. The program is considered a lifeline while stable housing is sought for those who are homeless or are […]
Posted inCongress & Federal Gov., Courts, Justice & Safety, Housing & Homelessness
The week in crime
In the past week, the Albuquerque Police Department has responded to three crashes in the city, resulting in two pedestrian deaths. There was also an arrest made in a fatal stabbing, a drug-trafficking arrest, and two people were charged in a 2017 murder case. And APD officers shot and killed someone they said was threatening […]
Posted inCongress & Federal Gov., Courts, Justice & Safety, Housing & Homelessness, Local Government
Texts show APD Chief, Mayor Keller discuss plan to “hammer the unhoused”
Amid growing public pressure to address homeless encampments across the city, Mayor Tim Keller invited Police Chief Harold Medina to help develop a two-month plan with “like five moves in two months on the chess baord (sic)” to respond to the growing crisis. “Yes let’s plan we hammer the unhoused but be prepared for the […]