The Gateway Center in Albuquerque has been allocated $4.5 million from the opioid settlement to support three specific projects aimed at reducing drug use and homelessness. This funding decision was formalized on May 28 when the City Council and Mayor’s Office signed the necessary legislation.
These initiatives are part of a broader effort to tackle issues related to opioid abuse and homelessness, with each project designed to provide targeted assistance. The Chamber has been a vocal advocate for the Gateway Center since 2019, supporting the approval of a bond that enabled the purchase of what was then known as Gibson Medical Center for $14 million. The Chamber's backing is rooted in the success of similar models elsewhere, which integrate social services with shelter facilities to aid unhoused individuals in securing both transitional and permanent housing.
Residents at the Gateway Center will have access to overnight accommodations and essential services tailored for those experiencing homelessness. Each resident will be assigned a case manager, a housing case manager, and a peer support worker to help them achieve stability by the end of their stay. The facility collaborates with 10 partner organizations on-site, providing medical and behavioral health services, housing navigation, and immigration assistance.
The funded projects include:
- A $2.25 million allocation for the Medical Sobering Center, offering space for up to 50 individuals recovering from severe intoxication, expected to open later this summer.
- $1.4 million dedicated to establishing a First Responder Receiving Area where police and other first responders can bring individuals requiring drug or mental health services outside normal operating hours.
- A $950,000 investment in Gateway Recovery, comprising 46 tiny homes owned by the city where individuals recovering from addiction can live and receive treatment for up to one year.
City officials have stated that Albuquerque is set to receive nearly $80 million over an 18-year period through this settlement agreement. These funds are mandated to be used specifically for addressing the impacts of the opioid crisis—a resolution reached after numerous local governments nationwide sued pharmaceutical companies over opioid overprescription practices.
