Construction Kicks Off on Recovery Gateway Micro-community
Albuquerque – Today, the City of Albuquerque along with partners at Bernalillo County held a groundbreaking ceremony for Recovery Gateway, a micro-community for our unsheltered community and people experiencing substance use disorder.
VIEW ADDITIONAL PHOTOS AND RENDERINGS
The micro-community, located along Pan American, just south of the Comanche exit, will house 50 people in 46 pallet homes. This includes 42 single-occupancy homes and 4 double-occupancy homes for couples. Renderings of each type of Pallet Home are attached. People will be able to stay up to 24 months or until they are connected to longer-term recovery housing.
“We know that we need more housing options in our City, especially for those in recovery, and the micro-community will better support folks on their journey to stable housing,” said Mayor Tim Keller. “Recovery Gateway will bring much-needed low-barrier beds and treatment services to Albuquerque.”
A report commissioned by the Department of Health, Housing, and Homelessness found there is a shortage of low-barrier recovery housing in our city. The study indicated there are only 800 recovery beds available throughout Albuquerque, and further analysis of the data recommended the City find innovative approaches to expanding housing options. The Recovery Gateway will add critical services.
“We know when people have 18 to 24 months of sobriety, they are more likely to stay in recovery,” said Health, Housing and Homelessness Director Gilbert Ramirez. “This new community will be the first step in achieving long-term sobriety and will offer a pathway to opportunity and a new life.”
Two on-site community rooms will be dedicated to behavioral health treatment, case management, and housing navigation. The City is in the process of contracting with Endeavors, a behavioral health provider based in San Antonio, Texas, to administer these services and essential support like meal distribution, laundry services, and transportation for medical appointments. Workforce training and educational opportunities will also be offered on-site. Endeavors was selected because they prioritize pathways to permanent housing.
City Council will have final approval of Endeavors’ contract.
The City of Albuquerque is also prioritizing residents' safety through enhanced security measures, including regular welfare checks. Other features of Recovery Gateway include three centrally located full bathrooms, laundry facilities, a dog park, and a community garden.
Recovery Gateway will be financed with $5 million in opioid settlement funds and $800,000 from Bernalillo County. This combined funding will cover the cost of infrastructure, services, and operations.
"Transitional housing is vital for addressing homelessness and substance use and BernCo is proud to support shelter and recovery services at the Recovery Gateway," says Commissioner Barbara Baca.
“Recovery Gateway will create a space for long-term addiction treatment and is an important step in supporting our unhoused neighbors,” said District 2 City Councilor Joaquín Baca. “This community will change countless lives by adding more recovery housing options for our city.”
We would like to thank Pallet, from whom we are purchasing the pallet homes, also Formative Architecture, and our contractor, Bruce Martin Construction, for their work on this project.
Recovery Gateway is expected to be fully operational in early 2025.