ABQ Times

The City of Albuquerque has announced the opening of a Medical Respite Center at the Gateway Center, aiming to provide a safe and medically supervised environment for unsheltered individuals recovering from illness or injury. The 22,500-square-foot facility is expected to start welcoming clients early this year.

Daniel Rowan, Senior Program Manager at UNM Project ECHO and board member of Albuquerque Health Care for the Homeless, stated that the center would offer "dignity, safety, and hope," emphasizing its role in connecting individuals to long-term housing resources.

Mayor Tim Keller highlighted the center's importance in creating a system of care tailored to meet the unique needs of the unsheltered community. He remarked, “Everyone deserves a safe and supportive environment to heal."

A report by Albuquerque Health Care for the Homeless underscores the necessity for such a facility, citing data indicating higher hospital readmission rates among homeless individuals. It also points out that these patients generally have longer hospital stays compared to other low-income groups.

Kate Becker, CEO of UNM Hospital, noted that most people can recover at home after a hospital stay; however, those without stable housing lack this option. The new center will ensure continuity of care with specific discharge instructions provided by healthcare providers.

Gilbert Ramirez, City Health Director, described medical respite as "a transformational new service" offering support while providing another pathway to housing within the Gateway Network.

The Medical Respite Collaborative will operate the center around-the-clock with 50 beds available in both individual and shared rooms. Patients are expected to stay between 45 and 60 days on average. In its first year alone, an estimated 400 individuals will be served.

Jennifer Metzler, CEO of Albuquerque Health Care for the Homeless said that after an eight-year planning process involving assessments and evaluations led by her organization, they are ready to launch comprehensive services through this collaborative effort.

Heading Home has been chosen as the operator following a competitive process while Albuquerque Health Care for the Homeless will lead integrated healthcare services alongside First Nations Community Healthsource which provides medical care referrals from UNM Hospital ensuring seamless patient transitions.

The city has allocated $900k in Housing Voucher funding specifically aimed at supporting this program where vouchers distributed by Albuquerque Healthcare help navigate patients towards affordable housing options along with access offered into physical therapy plus other specialized care intending connections established toward permanent primary healthcare providers.