City Priorities Get Major Boost in Second Round of ARPA Infrastructure Funding
June 22, 2022
Today, the Keller Administration’s proposal to invest the second round of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds passed City Council in a unanimous vote with amendments.
The lion’s share of the Administration’s proposal for the nearly $50 million in infrastructure funds was directed to solutions for homelessness, one of the city’s most pressing needs. Significant funding in the bill is also set for public safety projects including improvements at APD’s training academy and main headquarters, and the build out of a hub for the Albuquerque Community Safety Department at San Mateo and Kathryn. Allocations were also made to improve and construct community assets like Phil Chacon Park, Isotopes Park, and the International District Library Park among others.
“We’re putting this major recovery investment to work for Albuquerque, building community recreation space, getting to work on long-needed public safety facility improvements, and critically, building the spaces that are essential to our strategy to address homelessness,” said Mayor Tim Keller. “Since the start of pandemic, cities across America have seen a tragic and rapid rise in homelessness, and it affects everyone in our city. We can’t just wring our hands over this challenge, we have to press forward and build the spaces that will provide the shelter and support people need to find stable housing and get off the street.”
These investments build on major funding recently passed through the operating budget and GRT funding bills including an $15 million to help those most in need afford rent with housing vouchers and an additional $20 million for affordable housing across the city.
“This is a step forward in our work to address homelessness and we need all our partners across government with us taking an all-of-the-above approach to this work,” said Interim CAO Lawrence Rael. “The roughly $25 million in ARPA funds directed to the Gibson Health Hub and homelessness, not only helps build out the Gateway shelter space, but also medical and sobering facilities, a youth shelter, improvements to the West Side Emergency Housing Center, and an extension of the successful Wellness Hotel model which has provided safe shelter to families and children and helped hundreds transition into permanent housing.”
The final bill passed in City Council adhered closely to the administration’s proposal, and amendments made tonight will be reviewed by the administration.