albuquerque gets funding for construction of new homeless facility

Albuquerque is in line to receive around $985,000 for the construction of a centralized homeless shelter that will be open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The money is part of a much larger $64 million in capital outlay funding approved during the 2019 session of the New Mexico State Legislature.

Altogether, Albuquerque is getting just under $64 million in state funding for a variety of capital outlay projects signed off on by lawmakers.

The new shelter, which will be built on the west side of Albuquerque, is expected to cost around $28 million to build.

Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller has been pushing for the construction of the shelter as part of an energetic effort to address homelessness in the city.

Earlier reports have indicated that at any given time there may be as many as 8,000 homeless people in the city.

As envisioned, the proposed facility would provide housing for men, women, and children, and would also offer on-site counseling and other support services.

Earlier this year, the Mayor announced the creation of a homeless advisory council made up of members from faith-based groups, non-profits, the Native American community, and other partners, to study the homeless challenge.

Keller has indicated that he would like to see placed on the general obligation bond ballot this coming November a proposal asking for $14 million for the shelter project, which would allow for its first phase construction.

By Garry Boulard

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