ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — In a significant step toward addressing the region’s ongoing housing and homelessness crisis, the City of Albuquerque and Bernalillo County have secured $80 million in funding from the state. The money, which will be distributed across 10 key city and county projects, is intended to both launch new initiatives and complete existing ones, with the ambitious goal of creating more than 1,000 housing units within the next year.
Bernalillo County Manager Cindy Chavez emphasized the urgency of the mission, stating, “We are committed to getting a thousand people off the street who are currently homeless this year.”
Filling Gaps in the Housing System
The funding is structured to fill critical gaps in the housing system. Leaders envision a comprehensive approach: moving individuals from the streets into transitional housing with support services, expanding access to affordable housing vouchers, and ensuring that families already in homes can stay there.
Sarita Nair, Secretary of the New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions, explained that part of the effort involves making housing vouchers more effective. “So creating over 1,000 units of multi-family and single-family homes in the near term and longer term, and that includes facilities that will take housing vouchers,” Nair said. “Because that’s been a gap. We’ve had vouchers and nowhere to put them. Now we have a place to put them.”
Expanding the Gateway Center
Among the largest beneficiaries of the funding is the Gateway Center, Albuquerque’s flagship project for housing and homelessness services. The expansion will double its capacity for men and women while also addressing the needs of two particularly vulnerable groups: seniors and young adults.
City leaders believe this investment will significantly enhance the center’s ability to transition people from homelessness to stability by not only providing shelter but also connecting them to vital case management and social services.
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Political Challenges and Pushback
Securing the $80 million was not an easy task. Speaker of the House Javier Martinez noted that the funding required tough negotiations and faced resistance from other parts of New Mexico. “Over 70% of our unhoused population comes from other parts of the state,” Martinez said. “Why? Because here is where the services are.”
Despite pushback, leaders underscored that Albuquerque has long been a central hub for social services, and investing in its housing infrastructure benefits the state as a whole.
Strategic Allocation of Funds
Bernalillo County has divided the $80 million into three major categories:
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Gap Financing — to ensure ongoing projects are completed.
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Property Purchases — to buy at-risk properties that could otherwise transition to higher market-rate housing.
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Transitional Housing for Families — to provide immediate shelter and support.
According to Nair, approximately 77% of the funds will go directly to housing development, while 23%—roughly $19 million—will be allocated to homelessness prevention programs. The investment is expected to help fund about 162,000 housing units and create 925 beds for people experiencing homelessness.
Additionally, more than $1 million will go toward critical home repair programs, complementing existing federal HUD initiatives, while $1.5 million is earmarked for rapid rehousing efforts to move individuals quickly into stable environments.
A Holistic Approach to Housing
Albuquerque’s Health, Housing, and Homelessness Director Gilbert Ramirez stressed that financial investment alone will not solve the housing crisis. “People don’t just fall into housing,” Ramirez explained. “They need case management to get there. Sometimes they have financial hardships, credit dings, warrants, substance use issues. Our goal is to make sure we have all those services in place to get them to successful housing and stay housed.”
This holistic approach—combining construction, vouchers, and supportive services—is central to the city and county’s strategy. Leaders believe that addressing the underlying causes of housing instability will help ensure long-term success for individuals transitioning out of homelessness.
Transformative Projects on the Horizon
Several major projects are slated to benefit from the new funding, including both ground-up developments and innovative property conversions. Among them are:
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Poblana Place Apartments
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Sombra del Oeste
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Tierra Linda
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Wells Fargo Building Conversion
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West Mesa Ridge A and B
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Juniper Flats
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Gateway and Youth Homelessness Facilities
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Home Repair and Rapid Rehousing Programs
City and county leaders are especially enthusiastic about converting hotels and office buildings into housing, a trend seen in other major U.S. cities to quickly expand affordable housing stock.
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A Tight Timeline
All funds must be spent by June 30 of next year, placing pressure on Albuquerque and Bernalillo County officials to move quickly. Leaders say plans are already in motion to fast-track construction, complete renovations, and roll out support services in time to meet the deadline.
The stakes are high: with homelessness continuing to rise, particularly in Albuquerque, officials see this $80 million as both an opportunity and a responsibility to make measurable progress.
Looking Ahead
While challenges remain—ranging from rising construction costs to ongoing political debates—city and county officials are optimistic that this investment will have a lasting impact. By focusing on both immediate relief and long-term housing solutions, they hope to create not only physical units but also pathways to stability for thousands of New Mexicans.
As Chavez put it, the mission is clear: “This is about getting people off the streets, into homes, and giving them the tools they need to succeed.”
