An Albuquerque program that has moved hundreds of homeless people into homes could go statewide.
"Heading Home Albuquerque" provides a steady place to live and keeps homeless people out of jail, out of the emergency rooms, and getting treatment for alcohol and drug problems. Mayor Richard Berry led the charge to get the program going in his first term and it's now a model for similar efforts in other cities.
In the legislature, Democratic Sen. Jerry Ortiz y Pino of Albuquerque gives the Republican mayor huge credit for Heading Home's success, and says helping the homeless is not a party politics issue.
"They've actually moved several hundred people off the streets into housing," Ortiz y Pino said. "They've got them into job training programs, got them into drug and alcohol treatment programs, and they've made a difference. It's a simple concept but it takes a lot of work."
Ortiz y Pino is the sponsor of a bill that is gaining bipartisan support. It would pump more money into the Albuquerque program next year, then start a Las Cruces "Heading Home" the next year, followed by Santa Fe, Gallup and Farmington.
"We have a statewide problem," said Sen. Gay Kernan, a Republican from Hobbs. "I think the important thing is to begin in Albuquerque, move it to the larger communities, and then eventually find its way throughout New Mexico to help those people who are homeless."
It doesn't hurt that in Albuquerque, city leaders from both parties say Heading Home actually saves taxpayers' dollars.
KOB