Bernalillo County hotel offers a new start for 76 unhoused families
By Daniel Montaño
December 18, 2025 at 8:02 PM MST
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.
The living room in one of the family suites, which can sleep seven with a roll out bed and a pull-out sofa to go with two queen beds in the adjoining bedroom, includes a television and a small office area. (1055x896, AR: 1.1774553571428572)
The bedroom in this family suite includes two queen beds and an en suite bathroom. (1055x891, AR: 1.1840628507295174)
Sarah Spain, senior manager for the Bernalillo County Behavioral Health Authority, said the former Comfort Inn near Fourth Street and I-40 is a big upgrade for the county’s Family Wellness Shelter Program, which formerly housed only 24 families on smaller premises.
She said the families range in size from two to 9 people, with an average of four.
“That means that at any one time,” she said, “we could have about 300 people here that are receiving services, which is just amazing.”
Those services include free continental breakfast provided seven days a week and they’re looking to expand their food offerings. Care Managers, who function like case workers, conduct daily check-ins with each family and meet with them regularly to assist getting them into permanent housing, getting an education or a job, or even help getting identification and legal paperwork.
“We recognized that families didn't have a place to go,” Spain said, “so we wanted to bring them in and provide them with a safe place, along with next steps on how they're going to get back on their feet.”
The hotel was purchased for $6.1 million, and the state, through the Department of Workforce Solutions and the Legislature, provided an additional $1 million through a startup operational grant to keep things running.
Mark Bruhnke, administrative support lead with Bernalillo County, said they got Ponderosa up and running within two weeks after approving the purchase.
“Everybody at the county has been involved in getting this place together. Senior Manager? Here’s your broom,” he said, laughing. “Everybody’s been all hands on deck.”
Families stay for 90 days, or sometimes longer on a case-by-case basis, before transitioning to permanent housing.
Katrina Weaver said she was able to get on her feet because of the program. After being accepted this summer, she said she gained the resources, referrals and tools she needed.
“Within that four months,” she said, “I obtained housing, employment, and also got the motivation to start my own nonprofit — Ripple Effect Foundation.”
Support for this coverage comes from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation.
State and local officials on Thursday celebrated the official opening of Ponderosa Place, which is owned and operated by Bernalillo County.
The living room in one of the family suites, which can sleep seven with a roll out bed and a pull-out sofa to go with two queen beds in the adjoining bedroom, includes a television and a small office area. (1055x896, AR: 1.1774553571428572)
The bedroom in this family suite includes two queen beds and an en suite bathroom. (1055x891, AR: 1.1840628507295174)
Sarah Spain, senior manager for the Bernalillo County Behavioral Health Authority, said the former Comfort Inn near Fourth Street and I-40 is a big upgrade for the county’s Family Wellness Shelter Program, which formerly housed only 24 families on smaller premises.
She said the families range in size from two to 9 people, with an average of four.
“That means that at any one time,” she said, “we could have about 300 people here that are receiving services, which is just amazing.”
Those services include free continental breakfast provided seven days a week and they’re looking to expand their food offerings. Care Managers, who function like case workers, conduct daily check-ins with each family and meet with them regularly to assist getting them into permanent housing, getting an education or a job, or even help getting identification and legal paperwork.
“We recognized that families didn't have a place to go,” Spain said, “so we wanted to bring them in and provide them with a safe place, along with next steps on how they're going to get back on their feet.”
The hotel was purchased for $6.1 million, and the state, through the Department of Workforce Solutions and the Legislature, provided an additional $1 million through a startup operational grant to keep things running.
Mark Bruhnke, administrative support lead with Bernalillo County, said they got Ponderosa up and running within two weeks after approving the purchase.
“Everybody at the county has been involved in getting this place together. Senior Manager? Here’s your broom,” he said, laughing. “Everybody’s been all hands on deck.”
Families stay for 90 days, or sometimes longer on a case-by-case basis, before transitioning to permanent housing.
Katrina Weaver said she was able to get on her feet because of the program. After being accepted this summer, she said she gained the resources, referrals and tools she needed.
“Within that four months,” she said, “I obtained housing, employment, and also got the motivation to start my own nonprofit — Ripple Effect Foundation.”
Support for this coverage comes from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation.