The Albuquerque City Council is considering legislation to create government-sanctioned homeless encampments across the city, but a grassroots group called “Better Together New Mexico” is opposing the action and has issued a call to action.

 "Homelessness is a complicated problem which deserves a multi-faceted solution for this community," Holly Steinberg, Albuquerque resident and BTNM coalition member said in a statement." To date, the Mayor and City of Albuquerque have spent millions of taxpayer dollars that have been of almost no benefit to the homeless or the people of Albuquerque.   I appreciate Better Together New Mexico putting out a well-reasoned Call to Action outlining the issues the City Council will inflict on the city if it approves any form of homeless encampments. This would be a  travesty for the people of this city and I hope the councilors will vote  'No'."

Better Together New Mexico’s call-to-action points out the past failures of previous initiatives pushed by Mayor Tim Keller and the Council and calls for city leaders to develop a more workable approach instead of “housing more people on our streets.”

Proposals pending with City Council will change zoning codes to allow government-sanctioned homeless tent encampments throughout the city of Albuquerque similar to those in Coronado Park.  One proposal, sponsored by Councilor Brook Bassan, proposes the most radical version of tent encampments with a new use “living lot.” This means people living in light vehicles, recreational vehicles, or tents would be given a piece of property — mixed-use zones and non-residential zones — to live on with very little regulation. 

In a recent newsletter, City Council Member Dan Lewis expressed concern that sponsoring council members of the proposals are introducing amendments that prohibit these tent encampments from large portions of their own council districts while pushing for more encampments in entire districts such as his Northwest Albuquerque  District 5. 

At a May 5 committee-of-the-whole meeting discussing the homelessness issue, Keller proposed raising residential trash pick-up fees to pay for tent encampments, the city said on its website.                  

At least 745 people have sent emails opposing the measures, but support from the City Council is 6-3 in favor, according to Lewis. Opposing are Lewis, Louie Sanchez and Renee Grout. Mayor Timothy Keller is in favor. The final vote is expected on May 16.