The Albuquerque City Council has approved R-25-180, a resolution allocating $2.9 million from opioid settlement funds to expand services addressing homelessness, substance use disorder, and behavioral health through the Albuquerque Community Safety (ACS) Department.
The funds will be used to enhance ACS’s Street Outreach Navigation Program. This includes expanding crisis response, eviction prevention, and recovery-focused housing stability services for people experiencing homelessness and substance use disorder. Of the total appropriation, $1,016,162.94 will support expanded crisis response services, including crisis stabilization and wraparound services. Another $1.9 million will be invested in housing stability, eviction prevention, and supportive housing services aimed at increasing stability for individuals in recovery.
“This is how we break the cycle,” said Mayor Tim Keller. “We’re using these funds to expand programs that work; housing people, connecting them to care, and reducing pressure on our emergency and public safety systems. Albuquerque is choosing solutions over stigma.”
Bernalillo County continues to experience one of the highest opioid-related overdose death rates in New Mexico, with individuals experiencing homelessness being especially affected. The ACS Street Outreach Navigation program has reported a 78% housing placement success rate among individuals who participate in its services. The new funding is expected to allow the city to scale up these efforts and provide more direct support to residents facing homelessness and addiction.
“This is about healing,” said City Councilor Nichole Rogers. “By expanding ACS Street Outreach and investing in sustainable housing solutions, we’re giving people the resources they need to take their next step whether that’s treatment, shelter, or simply safety.”
“This isn’t just the right thing to do morally, it’s effective,” said City Councilor Joaquin Baca. “ACS has already proven it can move people into housing and treatment. R-25-180 helps us reach even more individuals with the support they need.”
“These dollars go directly to where they’re needed most,” said City Councilor Renée Grout. “By preventing evictions and expanding crisis outreach, we’re helping vulnerable residents stay safe and reducing strain on emergency services.”
The ACS was established in 2020 as one of the first alternative response departments in the country, with more than 60 full-time, unarmed responders trained in behavioral health, peer support, and crisis intervention. The department works closely with Albuquerque Police, Albuquerque Fire Rescue, and local organizations to provide non-law enforcement responses to mental health, substance use, homelessness, and other nonviolent emergencies.
Without this appropriation, city officials say there would be a missed opportunity to expand a program that has shown evidence of success, especially as opioid-related overdoses and homelessness continue to rise.
