Residents’ Donations to One ABQ Housing Fund House First Homeless Individuals
August 13, 2019
Mayor Tim Keller, the Department of Family and Community Services, and the Supportive Housing Coalition announced today that thanks to Albuquerque-area residents who saw the orange DonateABQ signs and made a fast and convenient online donation to the One Albuquerque Housing Fund, the City has been able to move two formerly-homeless people off the streets. With the payment of application fees, security deposits, two months of rent, two people who had been chronically homeless for nearly a decade are now in apartments where they access supportive services to address their needs.
The City of Albuquerque made the initial $8,000 payment to the Supportive Housing Coalition, which provides assistance and services that help end homelessness by providing affordable, permanent, and supportive housing to individuals and families in New Mexico. Created to ramp up the availability of housing vouchers for individuals and families experiencing homelessness, the One Albuquerque Housing Fund has raised more than $17,000 since its inception.
“The core purpose of our housing fund is to help people experiencing homelessness get housed as soon as possible,” said Mayor Tim Keller. “But it’s called the One Albuquerque Housing Fund for a reason: we can’t do it without all of the individuals in our city who see those orange signs and decide they want to make a difference with a donation. It’s the most cost-effective way we can make a difference, and the entry point to a whole host of services. These two are just the beginning, and thanks to the people who stepped up and donated, they are off the streets and safely housed. To be able to directly connect a need to an impact is remarkable.”
People experiencing homelessness have different needs. Some are working, and just need help paying the security deposit, first month’s rent and last month’s rent in order to obtain an apartment. Some households will also need the support of a case manager, to help them connect to community resources, apply for jobs, learn how to be good tenants and develop basic life skills. Others may have serious disabilities and need longer term support.
One of the first individuals who received help from the One Albuquerque Housing Fund was homeless for nine years, a victim of domestic violence and living with a disability. The other was homeless for eight years after losing a job led to losing a home. Both are now living in apartments and working with a service coordinator.
All households will contribute 30 percent of their income towards the rent, which helps develop tenancy skills and allows the One Albuquerque Housing Fund to serve additional people experiencing homelessness.
To donate to the One Albuquerque Housing Fund, visit www.DonateABQ.org. The City will continue to make the results available to the public so people can see the direct impact of their contributions.
Learn more about the Mayor’s plan to address homelessness here: www.cabq.gov/mayor/crime-strategy#3-homeless-help.
This year, the City of Albuquerque began keeping the Westside Emergency Housing Center open year-round and 24 hours a day on the weekends. People experiencing homelessness can take a free daily shuttle between the shelter and Coronado Park, Hope Works Day Shelter and God’s Warehouse. There has been a steady use of the shelter, even during the summer. On average, the shelter receives about 300 people each night.