A process to apply to run a sanctioned homeless camp—or safe outdoor space—has been approved by the Albuquerque City Council.
The plan, sponsored by City Councilors Trudy Jones and Louie Sanchez, map outs the permitting process for safe outdoor spaces.
“There are several steps in the processes,” Jones told KOAT recently. “It is not just to come in and say, 'I would like to open a safe outdoor space, and here is what I want to do and give me a permit.’”
The four-page bill stipulates that those operating the safe space would need to establish a set of rules that must be followed. Felons with an assault, battery, or sex-offense charge would not be allowed to live in the spaces. The rules would need to be approved by the City.
“I understand that the city and the operators will work together to come up with a plan that will work for everyone,” Jones said.
Additionally, the service provider must outline the resources available to residents.
“We want to make sure that a path to owning a home is incorporated in this,” Sanchez told KOAT. “So, we want to make sure that the individuals have all the services that we can provide to help them achieve that.”
The councilors noted that keeping the spaces away from neighborhoods is a priority. Meetings with the service providers and businesses or property owners around the sites will be held to address questions or concerns. Approved leases will be effective for 12 months.
“We want to make sure that the neighborhoods where these safe outdoor spaces are placed are in an area that doesn't cause a lot of heartache to the area in which it is placed,” Sanchez said.
The one approved safe outdoor space on Candelaria will need to go through the permitting process, the KOAT report said.