This story is published in partnership with the Downtown Albuquerque News as a part of our commitment to bringing you the best in independent news coverage that matters to Albuquerque. Thank you to donors whose support allows us to license these stories. Donate to allow us to continue to bring stories like this. Throughout last summer and fall, the line […]
Housing & Homelessness
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Joaquin Baca is ready to move forward and make the hard decisions
Joaquin Baca is picking up the torch. Baca, a hydrologist with the U.S. Forest Service was elected in November to fill the City Council seat of longtime Councilor Isaac Benton, who served for 18 years. Baca represents District 2, which includes downtown, Old Town, the West Mesa and Pat Hurley neighborhoods and part of the […]
Posted inLocal Gov.
County Commissioners tip their hats to a local leader
A salute to Kiki Savaadra, keeping folks safe from arroyo flooding and continuing the 1/16th gross receipts tax for behavioral health initiatives all got the greenlight from the Bernalillo County Commission at its Tuesday meeting. Pennies Add Up A public hearing was held to approve continuing the 1/16th of one cent gross receipts tax for […]
Posted inAlbuquerque, Courts, Justice & Safety, Housing & Homelessness, NM State Gov.
Advocates say housing, not harsher criminal penalties, will reduce crime
Albuquerque’s crime problems improve when affordable housing is addressed, not by instituting more severe penalties and longer jail sentences for offenders. That was the message a coalition of community advocates delivered to lawmakers during a virtual news conference held ahead of the New Mexico Legislature’s 30-day session which convened in Santa Fe today. Members of […]
Posted inBernalillo County, Housing & Homelessness, Local Gov.
BernCo to legislature: fund housing, homelessness projects
Bernalillo County officials made clear Jan. 9 what it wants to see from lawmakers in Santa Fe this year: $550 million directed to affordable housing programs and homelessness initiatives. The amount represents the bulk of almost $554 million in funding requests or endorsements. The board of commissioners’ legislative priorities provide a window into some of […]
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Councilors propose “poop patrol” for public, private property
Those who have encountered human feces on the streets of Albuquerque would say it’s unsightly and offensive to the nostrils of residents and visitors. But the effect of these deposits goes beyond the aesthetic, according to city leaders and health experts. City Councilor Tammy Fiebelkorn recently introduced legislation that would establish a $100,000 fund to […]
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$70 million and counting: Gateway Center price tag continues to rise
Albuquerque’s Gateway Center at Gibson Health Hub – a massive project designed to address the city’s burgeoning homeless population – continues to need millions of dollars for renovations and operations. The center has received funding from multiple sources since the city initially bought the building in 2021 for $15 million. In a December 2023 Gateway […]
Posted inLocal Gov.
Bernalillo County Commission faced a packed agenda at its first meeting of the year
Bernalillo County commissioners took care of some New Years business Tuesday evening when they elected Commissioner Barbara Baca to continue her role as Chair. Commissioner Eric Olivas will be second in line for the gavel as Vice Chair. Commissioner Steven Michael Quezada was excused from the meeting leaving Commissioners Baca, Olivas, Adriann Barboa and Walt […]
Posted inLocal Gov.
New Year brings big bucks for Bernalillo County
Bernalillo County will start off its New Year by picking a new chairperson, spending some money to acquire property to house a voter machine warehouse and accepting millions in opioid settlement funds. Commissioners will meet at 5pm tonight, Jan. 9 in the Ken Sanchez Commission Chambers at 415 Silver SW. Agenda Highlights Commissioners are on […]
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Keller’s air quality veto stands
Albuquerque’s new-look City Council decided not to press the issue of Mayor Tim Keller’s veto of legislation related to changes to the local air quality authority at the Jan. 8 council meeting. The Albuquerque-Bernalillo County Joint Air Quality Control Board is responsible for maintaining air quality locally, in accordance with state and federal law. Among […]