homelessness

A fire broke out Monday night at the homeless encampment next to Albuquerque’s Quirky Used Books, which has been under scrutiny recently after a shooting death at the location in November. No one was hurt, according to fire officials, but some of the tents were destroyed along with personal belongings before the fire was put out.

A recently converted hotel is now home for 76 formerly unhoused families. State and local officials on Thursday celebrated the official opening of Ponderosa Place, which is owned and operated by Bernalillo County.

Albuquerque has a new street newspaper, a publication sold by people experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity, designed to provide them with income and a voice.

During KUNM’s investigation of the speakers playing music as an anti-loitering tactic by the City of Albuquerque, city officials pointed to the idea of so-called “Smart Cities” as its newest effort to push certain people out of public spaces.

After several confusing interactions with the City of Albuquerque, KUNM has finally learned from officials that the speakers playing loud Chinese opera music are among 20 speakers installed around the city through a security initiative headed by the Department of Technology and Innovation called “Smart Cities.”

Albuquerque residents have complained of a loud song being played in the downtown area. They say the music has been playing 24/7 since last Thursday evening.

The Albuquerque City Council struck down a proposed change to the ordinance regulating Safe Outdoor Spaces, which are designated managed areas with access to basic amenities for people experiencing homelessness. The changes were aimed at making it easier to set up new spaces, because advocates say the current laws are too burdensome, and restrict private property owners from setting up more. One local business owner is suing for what his lawyers say is his constitutional right to allow people to camp on his property.

The City of Albuquerque is looking to make it easier to establish Safe Outdoor Spaces for people living on the streets by changing a few key ordinances. Only one space has been opened so far, which is located at New Creations Church in the International District.

A ribbon cutting ceremony at New Creation Church attracted community members and local leaders, like Myor Tim Keller and County Commissioner Adriann Barboa, who celebrated the city's first outdoor space specifically set aside for unhoused people to call home.

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham is trying once again to create an Office of Housing within the executive branch of state government after failing in last year’s legislative session. The legislation is designed to ease restrictions and get projects done quicker, in order to reduce New Mexico’s housing shortage.