City Councilor Nichole Rogers said Thursday she plans to keep pushing a rental practices ordinance after the Albuquerque City Council deferred the measure, citing concerns that state tenant protections lack local enforcement. At a press conference, Rogers said the delay exposed a gap in the enforcement of New Mexico Senate Bill 267, which took effect […]
Category: Housing & Homelessness
Posted inHousing & Homelessness
County rejects federal cut, maintains housing assistance for low-income families
Bernalillo County commissioners approved an item Tuesday to keep housing voucher rates unchanged for 2026, rejecting a federal decrease that officials warned would harm low-income renters. The county will maintain current subsidy levels, which average 2.9% above the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s fair market rents, to help tenants stay competitive in a […]
Reader-supported
Albuquerque’s Gateway Center hits a turning point in homelessness response
The City of Albuquerque announced Tuesday that the Gateway Center reached full capacity for the first time since its late-2025 expansion, placing nearly 200 people on a path toward stable housing through intensive support services. The Gibson location now serves 192 residents — 100 women and 92 men — who commit to behavioral intervention and […]
Reader-supported
Albuquerque’s nightly outreach hits record as winter temperatures plunge
Albuquerque Community Safety transported a record 1,230 people experiencing homelessness to shelter in December, helping protect lives during extreme winter temperatures. The total is the highest since the service relaunched in November 2025, a 136% increase from the previous month and a 92% jump from December 2024. The surge reflects rising community need and an […]
Posted inHousing & Homelessness, Sandoval County
What Alex Uballez discovered about Albuquerque politics (and himself) running for mayor
“To move to a world in which so much operates off of power, off of money, off of favors and relationships that circle around power — to see it up close is different…” Six weeks after finishing third in Albuquerque’s crowded mayoral race, Alex Uballez sat down with City Desk on the patio outside Ex […]
Posted inHousing & Homelessness
A Bernalillo County housing program has a 75% success rate. Now it’s tripling in size.
A Bernalillo County program that has helped about three-quarters of homeless families find stable housing is expanding to serve 76 families at a time, more than tripling its previous capacity. The county opened Ponderosa Place on Thursday at a former Comfort Inn at 411 McKnight Ave. NW near Fourth Street and Interstate 40. The site […]
Posted inHousing & Homelessness, Sandoval County
Who showed up to vote in ABQ? Data shows City’s runoff election defied voter fatigue
Correction, Dec. 22, 2025: An earlier version of this story contained significant errors in district-level turnout figures. The story incorrectly stated that District 3 cast 13,908 ballots and had the highest turnout, and that District 7 had the lowest turnout. District 3 precincts actually cast 7,075 total ballots, the lowest of any council district. District […]
Posted inHousing & Homelessness, Local Gov.
State approves $67 million bond for fairgrounds. What comes next?
Albuquerque is set to get a new 10-acre public park at the State Fairgrounds after state finance officials approved $67 million in bonds Tuesday. The approval, combined with a $22.35 million land acquisition bond cleared Dec. 9, commits more than $90 million to park space and pedestrian upgrades ahead of a final redevelopment plan expected […]
Posted inCourts, Justice & Safety
Crime down, trust low: Medina exits APD after rocky 5 years
Albuquerque Police Chief Harold Medina will retire Dec. 31, ending a five-year run defined by controversy. Medina announced his decision on Wednesday and told APD commanders during his final staff meeting on Tuesday, according to a city press release. His tenure included a crash that seriously injured a civilian, a City Desk investigation that found […]
Posted inLocal Gov.
Council president seeks investigation into city attorney in latest chapter of lawsuit between council, mayor enters 2nd year
Albuquerque City Council President Brook Bassan is asking investigators to determine whether City Attorney Lauren Keefe violated conflict-of-interest rules by siding with Mayor Tim Keller’s lawyers in a months-long legal dispute over fire department staffing. The council voted unanimously Monday to add the investigation request to the Jan. 5 agenda for formal consideration, following a […]