Plans for the “Safe Outdoor Spaces” program in Albuquerque continue to move forward with proponents eager to welcome residents and others concerned about ramifications.
The Westside Emergency Housing Center has been open for over a month, and a second at the Albuquerque Opportunity Center near Edith and Candelaria is preparing to welcome new residents.
Heading Home CEO Steve Decker said the New Mexico nonprofit is operating the first two sanctioned homeless camps, both of which will house people who are currently living in their cars. The safe outdoor parking space for the homeless at the Westside Emergency Housing Center has room for 40 vehicles. The lot at the Albuquerque Opportunity Center, which is set to house 12 vehicles, could soon be home to approximately 20 people.
“There are hundreds of individuals who are living in their vehicle throughout the city that do not have access to services, they don’t have [a] consistent place to park, they don’t have a safe place to park,” Decker told KRQE this week while promoting the need for safe outdoor spaces. “They can park in the parking lot and use the computer lab and meet with case managers, and do the employment program. They can come in and take a good shower.”
Decker noted that the sanctioned encampments will have requirements for those looking to get a spot.
“For safe outdoor parking at the Albuquerque Opportunity Center, you must commit to be part of the program and meet with a case manager and get ahead and get out of the streets,” he said.
The spots available at the sanctioned encampment at the AOC will only be for men with working vehicles, while the WHEC will house men, women and families. Decker added that residents must follow rules, including no drug use.
Some residents near the proposed outdoor spaces are concerned.
“They’re going to increase the number of homeless people in our area,” Martinez Town President Loretta Naranjo Lopez told KRQE. “These people should not be in their cars. They should be in a facility where they are dealing with their issues.”
The Martineztown Association along with the Menaul Business Community will be holding a meeting at 6 p.m. on Jan. 9 at the Menaul gym to express their concerns against the city-sanctioned encampments. A petition has also been made available.
Decker also commented that there will be security at the sites.
“Anyone who is a naysayer or who has concerns should come and be part of the program, come and see what is actually going on,” he said.
