ABQ Times

The City of Albuquerque is supporting the New Mexico Veterans Integration Centers (NMVIC) with a new Transitional Living Facility, aimed at helping veterans who are unsheltered or at risk of becoming so. The facility prioritizes rapid rehousing, therapy, and life skills training alongside emergency and transitional housing.

In 2023, Albuquerque allocated over $1 million in Community Development Block Grant funds to purchase land for the facility. This 20,000-square-foot center opened in August and was constructed with additional funding from Bernalillo County, the Veterans Administration, the Congressional delegation, and the State Legislature.

The facility features 42 units for veterans, with 12 designed for families by combining neighboring units. Since its opening, it has provided services to 38 individuals.

"Across the nation and across our community, there are far too many veterans who are either unhoused or in danger of becoming so," stated Mayor Tim Keller. "The VIC is directly helping those who served our country and their families by providing resources and a safe space to help them rebuild their lives and get on a path to stable housing."

Key amenities include three cooking stations, a communal dining area, laundry rooms, a day room for relaxation and social interaction, office space for staff, and an upcoming fully equipped computer lab.

Construction will soon begin on phase two of the facility. This phase includes spaces for casework and therapy sessions, a gym, food pantry, library, art room, outdoor recreation areas such as a pickleball court and half-basketball court, cornhole area, and a community garden expected next spring.

"Homelessness affects people from all walks of life including veterans," noted Health Housing and Homelessness Director Gilbert Ramirez. "This new facility is filling a critical gap by taking the next step to not only provide housing but also the necessary services that address the root cause of homelessness."

Veterans Integration Center CEO Brock Wolff commented: "We are extremely excited to bring this new facility to the community to help Veterans and their family members who are homeless or at risk of homelessness... On any given night in America over 33 thousand Veterans are homeless on the streets... In New Mexico nearly 1 in 10 homeless people are Veterans."

For more information about NMVIC's Transitional Living Facility visit nmvic.org.