A month ago, Bernalillo County officials hoped for feedback from city and county residents on the proposed creation of a Behavioral Health Authority and how it should operate in their communities. At its meeting Tuesday, the Board of County Commissioners said the volume of public comments it received exceeded expectations, and due to the wide […]
Category: Housing & Homelessness
Posted inHousing & Homelessness, National News, Politics & Elections, Syndicated
“Are you with me?” Biden and Harris launch Black voter outreach and warn of a second Trump term
By AAMER MADHANI President Joe Biden renewed his election-year pitch to Black voters on Wednesday, lashing out at Donald Trump’s “MAGA lies” and said the winner of this year’s White House race will make crucial decisions, including nominees for the Supreme Court, that could affect the country for decades. Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, […]
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What we get wrong about homelessness
If you’re like many in Albuquerque who feel helpless and frustrated when passing by someone experiencing homelessness, author Kevin F. Adler wants you to know you’re not alone. The California-based advocate and author of When We Walk By said he’s found antidotes to the despair and solutions in Golden State cities that would be useful […]
Posted inBernalillo County, Housing & Homelessness, Local Gov., Opinion, Uncategorized
Commissioners: Input wanted on ordinance to prioritize county behavioral health funds
This letter is provided as opinion/commentary from the authors. Commissioner Adriann Barboa represents District 3 which includes the SE heights, UNM, and the International District. Commissioner Eric Olivas represents District 5 including much of the NE Heights, Uptown, the Foothills and the East Mountains. You can submit your own opinion: editor@citydesk.org We have a homelessness […]
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Albuquerque City Council approves $1.4 billion budget
Budget bumps, popsicles and postponed charter changes dominated the lengthy Albuquerque City Council meeting May 20. In the end, a $1.4 billion budget was approved for fiscal year 2025. Budget Ups and Downs A big chunk of the five-plus hour meeting was spent working out the dollar details. After a couple of hours of discussion […]
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Officials who flagged asbestos dangers at Gateway Center told to stay home, given sick leave as city fined by state
At least two senior officials who raised concerns about the city’s mishandling of asbestos exposure during the construction of the Gibson Health Hub were threatened with reassignment and then quietly placed on sick leave. Both officials were made unavailable to answer questions from the city council and others about the administration’s actions that resulted in […]
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City charter changes could create chaos
Proposed changes to the city’s charter have stirred up an old-time controversy. Several Albuquerque city councilors are asking for a slew of changes to the city’s charter that would go to the voters. The stack of charter amendment proposals will be debated at their May 20 regular meeting. If approved, the changes will go to […]
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Albuquerque Is Throwing Out the Belongings of Homeless People, Violating City Policy
This story is published in partnership with ProPublica as a part of our commitment to bringing you the best in independent news coverage that matters to Albuquerque. By Nicole Santa Cruz | ProPublica ProPublica, a nonprofit newsroom that investigates abuses of power, co-published this story with New Mexico in Depth. On a recent morning, Christian Smith ran […]
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200 seniors, 90 veterans housed at Westside shelter — some for years
The city’s Westside Emergency Housing Center (WEHC) is home to about 200 seniors and 90 veterans seeking shelter among hundreds more who are experiencing homelessness. While the number who sleep there fluctuates throughout the year, during the winter months officials say it’s not uncommon to reach its capacity of 600. City officials and advocates for […]
Posted inAlbuquerque, Housing & Homelessness
Race is on to improve International District’s ‘pharmacy desert’
Editor’s note: This is the second in a series examining a lack of pharmacies plaguing Albuquerque’s International District. The first story, “International District has become an urban ‘pharmacy desert,’” can be accessed here. Grabbing a prescription is likely taken a bit for granted by the average Albuquerque resident. There are pharmacy choices, it seems, at […]