496 Individuals Safely Transported Out of the Cold and into Shelter

ALBUQUERQUE – To protect people experiencing homelessness from the dangers of prolonged exposure to cold and wet weather, Albuquerque Community Safety (ACS) relaunched its overnight emergency shelter transportation hotline, ensuring those in need can access safe shelter.

ACS’s Emergency Overnight Shelter Transportation Service was launched on November 1 and has already had a significant impact. In the month of November alone, ACS transported 496 individuals to shelters across Albuquerque, and out of the harsh elements.

"We’re offering a bed to anyone who needs it, and a safe place to rest away from the freezing weather," said Mayor Tim Keller. "The ability for ACS to transport folks to shelter is filling a critical gap, especially on these cold nights.”

The service is available everyday through March of 2025, from 8 p.m. to 7 a.m. Through this initiative, individuals who need a warm, safe place to stay during extreme cold weather can call the ACS hotline at 505-418-6178 to be transported to available shelters.

"Our overnight team is dedicated to making sure that no one has to face the cold alone,” said ACS Deputy Director of Field Operations Walter Adams. “When temperatures drop, we know that getting people to shelter is a matter of life and death. This service helps us ensure everyone has a safe place to stay."

ACS has coordinated with various shelters to ensure that individuals transported receive essential services. As the forecast calls for below-freezing temperatures, ACS remains on alert and ready to assist anyone who needs help getting to safety.

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ACS is the City of Albuquerque’s third branch of public safety. Responders take calls for service involving behavioral health, substance use, and other non-criminal and non-medical issues. Request an ACS Responder by calling 911 for emergencies and 311 for non-emergencies.