ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – Following a U.S. Supreme Court ruling in June that allows local governments to criminally punish homeless people for camping in public spaces without violating their constitutional rights, cities across the country are now deciding next steps.
Earlier this week, California Governor Gavin Newsom called on local leaders to begin removing homeless encampments.
When asked about the matter, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s office declined to comment but said the governor is “developing solutions specific to New Mexico to address these challenges for our state.”
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Asked if Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller’s office would take more aggressive action, they said the state needs to act first.
But one solution being promoted by local officials is Albuquerque’s Gateway Center. When it opened, city officials expected it would be able to serve about 1,000 homeless visitors per day. More than a year later, that number has dropped significantly.
“We serve roughly 300 people,” said Jennifer McDonald, Gateway Center’s operations manager.
But with some new projects already underway, they’re looking to increase that number. First, they’re building a new sobriety unit.
“They will be kept here for less than 24 hours and will have a chance to sober up before being released,” McDonald said.
They are also working on building a medical facility to help homeless people recover after receiving medical care. Finally, officials say they are building a brand new men’s shelter on the property.
“This is a shelter where people can come in for 30 to 90 days based on a referral and again we provide intensive casework to help resolve any issues that are preventing them from getting into long-term housing,” MacDonald explained.
Gateway Center officials hope these services will take some of the pressure off local emergency rooms and jails.
The Española encampment remains in place, despite the city announcing it would be disbanded more than a month ago.
“Previously, we only had two options: we either took them to the emergency department, which is overcrowded and not the right place for them, or we took them to jail, which is not the right place for them,” MacDonald added.
The first phase of the men’s shelter is expected to be completed by the end of the year and will have 46 beds. The second phase will open next fall and will have 50 beds.
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