Homelessness in Albuquerque has been on the rise over the last five years, leaving hundreds of residents out in the cold as cooler temperatures push through the city.
In a recent report by the New Mexico Coalition to End Homelessness, data suggests a doubling in the number of people living on the streets, to more than 400 from nearly 200, over the last five years.
“We’re talking about the number of people experiencing homelessness who are not using shelters so who are staying outside in unsheltered locations," Housing and Homeless Deputy Director Lisa Huval told KRQE. "This is a count that we work with the coalition to end homelessness that we do every two years at the end of January."
The count, done on Jan. 25 each year, found 413 unsheltered individuals, though these numbers did not include those living in emergency shelters or transitional housing. According to the report, the total estimated number of people counted during the Albuquerque Point-in-Time reports, including those in emergency shelters and traditional housing, totaled over 1,500.
Past trauma often makes it difficult for an individual to stay in large congregate settings like a shelter, Huval told KRQE. According to the report, 30% of those surveyed reported having a serious mental illness and another 25% a substance abuse disorder.
The Coalition estimates at least 17,000 people will experience homelessness in New Mexico at some point during a single year.