Albuquerque Reduces Funding for Homeless Programs, Raising Concerns

According to Krqe Albuquerque’s budget cuts for the new fiscal year have significantly impacted programs supporting the homeless, leaving hundreds at risk of losing their housing. The city has slashed millions from initiatives that provide Permanent Supportive Housing for nearly a thousand individuals. The Coalition to End Homelessness warns that these cuts could push many back onto the streets.

Monet Silva, Executive Director of the New Mexico Coalition to End Homelessness, expressed concern about the broader implications of these reductions. “These cuts to various organizations will affect the entire system, which is deeply troubling,” Silva said.

The fiscal year 2025 budget includes a $4 million reduction affecting 11 housing providers. This decrease has led some organizations to lay off staff, cut supportive services, and halt new enrollments. The city justified the cuts by citing underutilization of funds from the previous fiscal year. Maria Wolf, the city’s Homeless Innovation Officer, explained, “When reviewing last year’s expenditures, it appeared that some funds were not fully used, leading to the decision to cut back.”

However, the city has acknowledged that some funds may not have been spent due to issues with securing leases that extend beyond the fiscal year. Both the city and the Coalition to End Homelessness are exploring ways to address these cuts, including potential supplemental funding. Wolf stated, “We are working with providers to extend their contracts to ensure that more individuals can be housed with the remaining funds.”

The Coalition to End Homelessness is urging affected programs to attend the next city council meeting to discuss the funding issues. The City Council is scheduled to meet on Monday, and KRQE News 13 has reached out for a comment but has yet to receive a response.