Office Of An Ad Hoc Homeless Tent City - 2373 Words

Background In December of 2014 the Albuquerque downtown experienced the establishment of an ad hoc homeless tent city of approximately 80 homeless living in 36 tents located at First and Iron SW. Over the course of two months city social services along with community agencies attempted to address the needs of the tent city residents. By February 4, 2015 the tent city had been reduced to 14 tents. On February 9, city government ordered eviction notices to the tent city residents. Following the February 9 eviction order, significant public criticism of the city’s handling of the homeless tent city was voiced at the February 18, and March 2 Albuquerque city council meetings. During the February 18 city council meeting, homeless advocates†¦show more content†¦Contents Methodology Albuquerque Homeless Demographics Government Approach to Sheltering Homeless Albuquerque’s Ad Hoc Tent City Las Cruces’s Tent City Discussion Recommendations Methodology This report’s methodology consists of the following: 1. Homeless demographic research using the New Mexico Coalition to End Homelessness (NMCEH) 2013 Point in Time (PIT) Homeless Count. Demographic research will focus on total homeless, age, behavioral health, and transitional housing/sheltered/unsheltered status. 2. Research of Albuquerque’s city government position on sheltering approaches for the homeless using inputs from city officials and homeless advocates 3. Research of Albuquerque’s ad hoc tent city for the homeless focusing on inputs from tent city residents, community residents, and homeless advocates. 4. Research of Las Cruces’ Hope Village for the homeless focusing on inputs from tent city residents, community residents, homeless advocates and Las Cruces city officials. Albuquerque Homeless Demographics On January 28, 2013, New Mexico Coalition to End Homelessness coordinated the 2013 PIT Count in collaboration with Albuquerque Heading Home. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) considers a person to be homeless if he or she is staying in an