ABQ Times

Bernalillo County Commissioners have taken significant steps to address housing availability by approving two projects totaling $1.2 million. The decision was made unanimously at the recent commission meeting.

Commission Chair Barbara Baca stated, “Throughout this year, I have sponsored and guided many projects that evolve around the lack of housing in our community. It is essential for all of our residents to have the opportunity to acquire housing.”

The first project involves an Intergovernmental Agreement with the City of Albuquerque for Community Connections Supportive Housing vouchers, amounting to $448,910. These funds will be managed by the Bernalillo County Housing Department and are intended to provide up to 40 housing vouchers. The beneficiaries will be individuals identified as homeless or precariously housed, diagnosed with a mental illness or co-occurring disorder, and meeting specific criteria defined by the Community Connections Supportive Housing Program.

The second initiative includes a contribution of $800,000 from the county towards the CABQ Recovery Housing Campus for individuals experiencing homelessness. This aligns with the County’s Strategic Goal of Community Health which emphasizes affordable housing through community partnerships. The campus will feature 50 single occupancy pre-manufactured structures surrounded by community buildings and services. These homes will cater to individuals diagnosed with a substance use disorder.

Chair Baca further commented on their ongoing efforts: “We have been studying and analyzing the spectrum of housing needs which include homelessness, affordable housing and the immediate and future development of all types of housing projects. We will continue to put forward strong and well-planned efforts to accommodate the very real housing needs in the region, including the work currently under way with the Middle Rio Grande Housing Collaborative.”