An idea born under former Albuquerque Mayor Richard J. Berry that provides day labor jobs for those experiencing homelessness could be making a comeback. “There’s a Better Way” was launched in 2015 and the initiative quickly gained national attention. After a year in operation, the Washington Post called it “a simple idea that works.” 

The idea was developed after Berry drove around the city and stopped to talk to panhandlers about their circumstances. He said at the time that the majority didn’t want to be on city sidewalks and intersections begging for money, but didn’t see many alternatives. Berry eventually tasked a city van to pick up and transport the panhandlers to day labor jobs overseen by the Solid Waste Department like litter pickup and weed removal.

The jobs paid $9 an hour and included lunch. After their shifts, the workers were taken to overnight shelters and offered other services. In its first three years, nearly 7,000 participated, but the program ended in 2020 after Mayor Tim Keller took office. City spokesperson Ava Montoya said Wednesday that it was ended because there were challenges and operational difficulties with the prior administration’s program.

Now years later, Albuquerque City Councilor Renée Grout said it’s created a hole that urgently needs to be filled in the face of record levels of homelessness. Grout and the city’s homeless advocates say that despite persistent stereotypes, the vast majority of those experiencing homelessness want to work, and having a job provides dignity and self-sufficiency — catalysts toward more stable employment and housing. 

It appears that the city is ready for a fresh look at the former program.

“We believe an improved day labor program can be beneficial to help people get back in the workforce,” Montoya said. “Adding back a day labor program … would be a positive for our community.”

Grout introduced a resolution at the City Council meeting on April 15, which would direct the city’s Health, Housing & Homelessness Department to develop a day labor pilot program and budget within 60 days. She expects the bill to appear before the council for a full vote soon. If passed, the program would start in fiscal year 2025.

“When I see a sign that says ‘will work for food,’ I think, ‘OK, let’s get you to work,’” Grout said. “They might not be in a head space for a full-time or steady job, but day labor can get them into the groove.”

Grout said her resolution includes connecting participants to support services like case management.

“Hopefully we can get them encouraged and excited about working,” she said. “We’ve had a lot of people reach out to us and they’re excited about bringing it back.” 

Not just day labor

The city already operates a jobs program for those experiencing homelessness — Job Connect — but it serves a different slice of the population. It’s designed for those who are able to maintain the demands of a more traditional job. The program is administered through a $300,000 city contract with Albuquerque Heading Home.

Job Connect started as a six-month pilot program from January 2023 to June 2023 and is funded through fiscal year 2024. Under the mayor’s recently released proposed fiscal year 2025 budget, it would return at the same $300,000 funding level. 

“It’s not necessarily a day program and people are referred,” Heading Home CEO Connie Chavez said. “They’re typically living in shelters at night and going to work during the day.”

Chavez said unlike the day labor initiative, Job Connect participants receive assessments and are placed in landscaping, service industry, and some Parks & Recreation Department positions. Clients receive case management and transportation to work, from bus passes, ride sharing services or bicycles. Some are referred to the New Mexico Division of Vocational Rehab to determine eligibility.

Since the pilot program was launched, Chavez said almost 100 people have been placed in jobs and 131 are currently enrolled.

“We need to try different things; we have a lot of people on the streets,” Grout said. “There’s not a one-size-fits-all for fixing homelessness.”