Citing both her own experience on the brink of homelessness and that of her uncle, who once struggled with addiction and homelessness, she said it has the potential to help many people in Albuquerque. The county intends to provide additional support in the future, Bernalillo County Manager Julie Morgas Baca said.Ĭounty Commissioner Adriann Barboa, whose district includes the new Gateway Center, described it as an important community project. Officials said the cost and scope of necessary remodeling is not known yet because the programming has not been finalized.įunding for the facility purchase and potential improvements includes $14 million from a voter-approved 2019 city bond question, $5 million from the city’s current year budget, about $1 million in past years’ state appropriations, $1 million from Bernalillo County bond proceeds and $500,000 in corporate contributions. “We’re going to test things we’re going to experiment with things we’re going to find out what works best over time,” the mayor said. Keller said the city would work with the community, local service providers and through its Homeless Coordinating Council – which includes Bernalillo County and University of New Mexico leaders – to map out a clearer vision in the coming months, but that his administration is willing to discover what makes the most sense through some trial and error. They yield more than $2.5 million in annual lease revenue, which Albuquerque Chief Operating Officer Lawrence Rael said will help offset the building’s operating and maintenance costs.Įlsewhere on the premises, officials have said the working plan includes adding 150 to 175 standard emergency shelter beds, plus a separate 25 to 50 beds specifically for people with medical recovery needs. The city intends to keep the building open for existing tenants who occupy about a third of the property’s 572,000 square feet, some of whom provide behavioral health services. “This facility could not come at a better time.”īut what exactly happens inside the vast facility at 5400 Gibson SE remains somewhat unknown. “Like a few other things, we had a (homelessness) problem going into the pandemic and now the problem is even worse,” Keller said during a news conference. The city has seen unprecedented demand for emergency shelter during the COVID-19 pandemic, with its support network – including an existing West Side shelter and five area hotels – accommodating more than 900 people on some nights during the pandemic. He said Tuesday it is needed now more than ever. Mayor Tim Keller has for years advocated for a new Gateway Center homeless shelter and services facility. The just-completed $15 million acquisition makes the former Lovelace hospital the largest city-owned facility outside the Albuquerque International Sunport, the Albuquerque Journal reported. Now, officials say, the real work begins.Īlbuquerque officials recently gathered with county and state leaders to commemorate the city’s latest major purchase: a onetime southeast Albuquerque hospital expected to eventually provide services to people who are homeless. ALBUQUERQUE (AP) –The deal is finally done.
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