Gateway Center officials give update on facility after SCOTUS rules on urban camping

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – Following a United States Supreme Court decision in June , local governments can now criminally penalize homeless people for public camping without violating their constitutional rights. Now, across the country, cities are deciding on their next step.

Earlier this week, California Governor Gavin Newsom called on local leaders to start removing homeless encampments.

When Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham’s Office about the topic. They declined to comment but did state, “The governor is looking to create New Mexico-specific solutions to solve these challenges in our state.”

Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller’s Office was asked if they would take more aggressive action. They said the state would need to act first.

However, one local solution officials pushed for is the Gateway Center in Albuquerque. When it first opened, city officials were hopeful it would be able to serve around 1,000 homeless visitors each day. More than a year later, that number is much lower.

“We serve about, approximately 300,” said Gateway Center Operations Officer Jennifer McDonald.

However, they’re looking to bump that number up with several new projects already in the works. First, they’re in the process of constructing a new sobering unit.

“They’ll be sheltered here for less than 24 hours, chance to sober up before they are released,” McDonald said.

They are also working on a medical facility to help people living on the street recover after receiving medical care. Lastly, officials say they’re building a brand-new men’s shelter at the facility.

“This is sheltering where they can come in on a referral basis for 30 to 90 days, and again give that intensive casework that’s going to help them with whatever issues are keeping them from long-term housing,” McDonald explained.

Gateway Center officials expect these services to relieve some of the pressure off local emergency rooms and the jail.

“In the past, it was like, you had a choice; you would drop them off at the ER, which is full and not an appropriate place for them, or you dropped them off at jail which is not an appropriate place for them to be,” McDonald added.

The first phase of the men’s shelter is expected to be complete by the end of this year and will offer 46 beds. The second phase will open next fall, adding 50 beds.

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