Call for Volunteers: Join the Homeless Coordinating Council Subcommittees and Make a Difference

Albuquerque, NM – The Homeless Coordinating Council (HCC) seeks passionate and dedicated individuals to join its vital subcommittees. These subcommittees play a crucial role in addressing homelessness within our community by focusing on specific areas and developing targeted solutions. We strongly encourage community members, stakeholders, and those with lived experience to consider joining us in this important work.

“The Homeless Coordinating Council has created two new subcommittees, and we are in need of members for these and existing subcommittees, especially in leadership,” said HCC Chair Matthew McGahran. “HCC’s subcommittees find the solutions needed in our mission to bring services to the unhoused and to those at risk of being unhoused.”

The HCC welcomes participation from all interested individuals, including members of the public. If you are interested in joining a subcommittee or learning more, please contact Ziarra Kirksey at [email protected] or call 505-768-3152.

The HCC strongly encourages all members to actively participate in at least one subcommittee. We also encourage members of the public to get involved and contribute their valuable perspectives.

“Our City, our County work best when we have participation from our communities, especially subject matter experts and those with lived experience,” said HCC Vice-Chair and Albuquerque City Councilor for District 6, Nichole L Rogers. “We need all hands on deck to help us create compassionate response that actually helps pull people up and out of homelessness.”

The HCC is currently seeking members for the following subcommittees:

• Data Sharing & System Barriers: This subcommittee focuses on identifying and overcoming obstacles to data sharing related to homelessness services and systems. This critical work will improve coordination and effectiveness in serving those experiencing homelessness. We are particularly seeking a dedicated leader to chair this subcommittee.
• Reentry: This subcommittee works to support individuals re-entering the community after incarceration, addressing the unique challenges they face in securing housing and other essential services. This subcommittee is actively developing its focus and welcomes new members to contribute their expertise.
• African American Homelessness: This subcommittee addresses the specific needs of the African American community experiencing homelessness. Its goals include data collection and needs assessment, culturally competent housing support services, increasing affordable housing access, building partnerships with Black community organizations, addressing racial disparities and structural racism within the homelessness system, increasing access to mental health and substance use services, building community awareness, creating pathways for economic empowerment, and monitoring progress.
• Native American Homelessness: This subcommittee focuses on the unique challenges faced by the Native American community experiencing homelessness.
• Homelessness Prevention: This subcommittee works to proactively prevent individuals and families from becoming homeless in the first place.

Why Join a Subcommittee?

Serving on an HCC subcommittee provides a unique opportunity to:

• Make a tangible impact: Contribute directly to addressing homelessness in our community.
• Collaborate with experts: Work alongside dedicated professionals, community leaders, and individuals with lived experience.
• Develop innovative solutions: Participate in developing and implementing targeted strategies to combat homelessness.
• Gain valuable experience: Enhance your skills and knowledge in the field of homelessness services.

About the Homeless Coordinating Council: The Homeless Coordinating Council  is a collaborative body made up of members from the City of Albuquerque, the County of Bernalillo, the Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Board of Regents of the University of New Mexico. HCC’s purpose is to deliver a coordinated community-wide framework for expanding and strengthening services and permanent affordable housing for people experiencing homelessness in the Albuquerque metro area.

City Councilor Nichole Rogers represents District 6, Albuquerque's Southeast Heights encompassing the University of New Mexico, Nob Hill and the International District. She was elected to the City Council in 2023.