Gateway Center services expand through Metro Homelessness Initiative

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – The city has spent the last few years focusing on overnight beds for women and families, and by next year with a new initiative, the city is promising more beds for men, teens, and those recovering from drug abuse.

“It is our opportunity to really double down and focus in on a very focused approach to serving our community and really addressing our needs in the homelessness arena,” said City of Albuquerque Chief Administrative Officer Samantha Sengel.

It’s Albuquerque city leaders’ new effort to explain a “sweeping new approach” to homelessness: the Metropolitan Homelessness Initiative . The initiative is something Mayor Tim Keller announced at his State of the City Address last weekend.

The city estimates there are at least 5,000 homeless living on Albuquerque streets. There are already three main Gateway facilities, including one that’s helped around 1,500 family members.

The large Gibson facility and long-standing Westside shelter near Double Eagle, collectively house around 900 people a night.

The city is now planning to open a youth-focused center by next summer. Officials said that’ll focus on people 16 to 24, and it isn’t expected to host a large population.

The center will be at the San Mateo Inn near I-40 and is planned for 30 to 50 people at a time.

The city also plans to open a “Recovery Gateway” with 50 beds. “The Recovery Gateway will be focused on supporting individuals that have an interest in going through substance abuse support and moving towards housing as well,” said Sengel.

The old Lovelace Hospital on Gibson plans to open around 50 beds for men by fall along with a medical respite and a sobering center by the end of the year for those discharged from the hospital.

“Adding a sobering center at the Gateway Center allows us to support those individuals that can’t qualify to go into a shelter based on being inebriated or high.”

As for the drug “Recovery Gateway” project, the city said they still don’t have a location for where it will go. Again, Mayor Keller wants all five of the Gateway projects open by next summer.

The city is also focusing on permanent housing as part of the Metro Homelessness Initiative, promising to revamp the housing voucher system and introduce a “renters bill of rights” in the next year.

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