The City of Albuquerque announced two appointments on Aug. 2 to tackle homelessness. Azka Naru was appointed as the Gateway Manager for the City's latest facility aimed at connecting unhoused individuals with essential services, while Maria Wolfe assumes the role of Homeless Innovations Officer, responsible for streamlining initiatives and coordinating the city's response to homelessness according to a press release by the city.
"These leaders bring the expertise we need to help address homelessness in Albuquerque and get more folks connected to the right services. We are focused on doing our part as a city to provide the support and connections we can to get people off our streets and onto a better path,” Mayor Tim Keller said, according to the release.
Recently, the City of Albuquerque undertook a reorganization, dividing the Family and Community Services Department into two distinct entities: the Health, Housing, and Homelessness Department, and the Youth and Families Department. This strategic decision enables the City to concentrate more effectively on its foremost priorities, empowering them to improve programs and services dedicated to these key areas according to a press release by the City of Albuquerque.
Dr. Azka Naru, pharmacist by training with a Master's in Public Health, specializing in Health Systems Services and Policy, brings her expertise and longstanding connection to the Albuquerque community to the Gateway Center. She holds previous roles in medical and public health management, including operational leadership during the statewide COVID response and state emergency management lead during the 2022 wildfires according to the press release.
Maria Wolfe has been appointed as the city's new Homeless Innovations Officer, transitioning from her previous role as the Public Safety ECHO Coordinator. With expertise in creating multi-disciplinary solutions, Wolfe is dedicated to collaborating with partners to address the unique needs and challenges faced by the unhoused population. Her background encompasses experience in the public, private, non-profit, and education sectors according to the press release.