Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller launched a comprehensive housing initiative Thursday aimed at reducing rents and preventing displacement through a combination of affordable housing development and home repair assistance. The “Housing Now” campaign centers on a proposed program called PATCH that would provide zero-percent interest, forgivable loans to help low-income homeowners make critical repairs to avoid […]
Housing & Homelessness
Posted inHousing & Homelessness
City study reveals housing crisis for Albuquerque’s Native American residents
Nearly three-quarters of Albuquerque’s 25,400 Native American residents cannot afford monthly housing payments of $1,500 or more, according to a groundbreaking three-year city study released Friday that marks the first comprehensive urban Native housing analysis led by a municipal government. The finding creates a stark affordability gap in a city where median home prices currently […]
Posted inHousing & Homelessness
Albuquerque mayoral candidates split on Trump homelessness order threatening $167M in federal funding
Albuquerque mayoral candidates are sharply divided over President Trump’s executive order threatening to cut off federal funding to cities that don’t enforce civil commitment laws for homeless individuals. Signed July 24, the order requires cities to prioritize involuntary treatment for people with mental illness or substance use issues and penalizes those that allow urban camping, […]
Posted inAlbuquerque
Keller seeks to cut red tape for Safe Outdoor Spaces
Mayor Tim Keller wants to ease costly rules that have stalled efforts to open more Safe Outdoor Spaces in Albuquerque, saying churches and nonprofits should be able to create legal encampments without facing major financial barriers. Speaking July 28 at New Creation Albuquerque Church—the city’s only operating Safe Outdoor Space—Keller said current regulations make it […]
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BernCo assessor and treasurer join forces to keep residents in their homes
The Office of the Bernalillo County Assessor and the Office of the Treasurer are collaborating to meticulously review all properties slated for state auction due to unpaid property taxes. This joint effort aims to prevent residents from losing their homes, land, or businesses. Property owners who are more than three years delinquent on their property […]
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Bernalillo County Commissioners approve $150 million housing initiative
In a move to tackle the housing crisis in the metro area, the Bernalillo County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved the “BernCo Builds Communities” initiative at its administrative meeting last week. The plan will leverage $150 million in state funding to expand sorely needed housing access across the county. The initiative comes in response to […]
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Albuquerque completes first phase of Housing and Treatment Navigation Center
The City of Albuquerque unveiled a new patio space this week at the Gateway Center, aiming to enhance the facility’s commitment to providing low-barrier services that foster healing and community for its residents. The newly completed outdoor area features shade canopies, tables, benches, and a bike rack. It also includes a small dog park for […]
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A new bill could change how Albuquerque handles homeless camps
Albuquerque City Councilor Nichole Rogers is proposing changes to the city’s Safe Outdoor Space (SOS) Operator’s Permit Ordinance, aiming to reduce regulatory obstacles and make it easier to open and manage sanctioned encampments for people experiencing homelessness. Rogers is pushing to ease city rules on Safe Outdoor Spaces. She argues that current regulations create unnecessary […]
Posted inAlbuquerque
A Safe place to heal
Albuquerque’s new medical respite center is giving unhoused people a safe, supportive place to heal after hospital stays — and a better shot at stable housing. Mayor Tim Keller joined staff and a patient June 18 for a small-group conversation highlighting the early impact of the Gateway Medical Respite Center. Tucked inside the former Lovelace […]
Posted inBernalillo County, Housing & Homelessness
Bernalillo County Commissioners extend deadline for major affordable housing projects
The Bernalillo County Board of Commissioners voted Tuesday night to grant extensions for two major affordable housing redevelopment projects, allowing developers more time to secure crucial financing. The projects—Villa Hermosa and Desert Willow Apartments—will receive an additional 180 days to obtain tax credit letters from the New Mexico Mortgage Finance Authority (MFA), a necessary step […]