Fighting Homelessness

March 15, 2019

March 15, 2019 – Homelessness is a persistent problem in New Mexico and officials in the state’s largest city and in Bernalillo County are rolling out new strategies to help people get off the streets. These include plans for a new, full-service shelter and more supportive housing. They also include connecting people facing homelessness with behavioral health services when they need them because many are grappling with mental health issues. But will these proposals work, and how are they building on current programs? Beyond immediate needs, how will they help people get into permanent stable housing? In this segment we talk with officials from the city of Albuquerque and Bernalillo County as well as nonprofit service providers helping the homeless.

Legislative note: House Bill 657 earned endorsements from dozens of lawmakers. It proposed funding a study of affordable housing in and around Albuquerque, which is closely linked to lifting people out of chronic homelessness. With just hours left in the legislative session, $205,000 is earmarked for the study. It’s part of the so-called junior budget bill, which allots millions of dollars in surplus funding for one-time expenses that are important to lawmakers. More than half a dozen such expenditures have to do with efforts to deal with homelessness.

Guests:
Katrina Hotrum-Lopez, director of Behavioral Health Initiative, Bernalillo County
Lisa Huval, deputy director, Family & Community Services, City of Albuquerque
Greg Morris, executive director, HopeWorks
Danny Whatley, executive director, The Rock at Noonday

For Further Reading:

Cities Are Taking A New Approach To Homelessness – Curbed

Why Some Homeless Choose The Streets Over Shelters – NPR

Cities Around Country Move Away From Large Homeless Shelters – WABE

Homelessness Up In New Mexico – Associated Press

Survey: ABQ Tops 32 Cities For Housing The Homeless – Albuquerque Journal

City OKs Homeless Shelter Funding – Albuquerque Journal

City Unveils Plan To Tackle Homelessness Crisis – Albuquerque Journal

Business Alliance Proposes Solution To City’s Growing Homelessness Problem – Albuquerque Journal

University of New Mexico, City Partner on Homelessness – Santa Fe New Mexican

Study Finds Housing Homeless Saves Money – KUNM

Fort Worth Is Model For The Country, HUD Secretary Says. Here’s Why – Fort Worth Star Telegram