City Councilor Renée Grout Proposing to Reallocate Funds to a Youth Shelter

June 2, 2022

City Councilor Renée Grout announced she will be proposing legislation, R-22-46, to amend the City of Albuquerque’s Fiscal Year 2023 Budget to appropriate $250,000 to the Family and Community Services Department for youth shelter services and to Barrett House Shelter. $150,000 of the appropriation would go toward a dedicated shelter for homeless youth and $100,000 would go to the Barrett House Shelter, which provides emergency shelter for women and children experiencing homelessness.

A recent study by the Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation highlighted the need for youth shelter services, especially for those aged 18 to 25 in Bernalillo County. This younger segment of our adult homeless population does not feel safe in shelters with older adults and are often inexperienced with navigating services, which are sparse for this specialized population.

Councilor Renée Grout has been working with her colleagues and service providers to increase services for this population and to begin fundraising for a shelter specifically for youth aged 18 to 25.

“Our response as a City to the current homelessness crisis is more crucial and urgent than supporting Planned Parenthood at this time,” said Councilor Grout. “We have a clear need for youth shelter services and emergency services for women and children. This allocation will have a much greater impact on our community than funding services that not all taxpayers agree with, and many believe is immoral.”

Councilor Grout’s proposed legislation, R-22-46, will be formally introduced at the June 6, 2022, City Council Meeting and will be referred to an upcoming Finance and Government Operations Committee Meeting.