Addressing Albuquerque's Homelessness Problem
The homelessness crisis has been an ongoing concern of New Mexicans for years now. To New Mexicans, homelessness is not a distant issue, for it is witnessed inside our neighborhoods, our streets, and within our school systems. A 2020 federal report by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development indicated that New Mexico experienced the biggest surge of the homeless population in the US with an increase of 27% . Chronic homelessness population are those who have experiences homelessness repeatedly, or at least a year, while suffering with other conditions such as disability, substance abuse disorders, or mental illness. During 2022, the total of those who are chronically homeless make up 67% of Albuquerque’s total homeless population. Of the city’s homeless population , 9% are veterans, 16% are domestic violence victims, 46% suffer from mental illness, and 44% have a substance use disorder. Of Albuquerque’s total homeless population, 61% are in emergency shelters and 30% are uns