“Bernalillo County Explores Mobile Shower and Restroom Facilities for Homeless”
Bernalillo County is exploring ways to provide essential hygiene services, including showers, restrooms, and laundry facilities, for its homeless population. Commissioner Steven Michael Quezada is advocating for the county to manage a mobile unit that offers these services in areas with high concentrations of homeless individuals. This concept has already been successfully implemented in Santa Fe through the efforts of the Interfaith Community Shelter.
The Santa Fe program, which was initiated in March by James Butler, has demonstrated how access to basic hygiene can have a significant impact on people’s lives. Butler emphasized the importance of dignity, stating, “There is just something about feeling human that is right, and everybody should be able to feel it.” The Santa Fe mobile unit collaborates with organizations such as Healthcare for the Homeless and the Salvation Army to provide clothing and additional support.
During discussions, Bernalillo County commissioners raised concerns about logistical challenges, including securing water sources, recruiting enough volunteers, and managing overall operations. Despite these hurdles, the county remains interested in pursuing the idea, though officials acknowledge that it may take some time to become a reality.
In the meantime, the Interfaith Community Shelter’s mobile unit in Santa Fe recently received funding to expand its services from two to three days a week, further demonstrating the success and impact of the program.
