523 People Connected to Safe Shelter as ACS Ramps Up Winter Response
ACS’s Emergency Overnight Shelter Transportation delivers essential support in providing critical lifeline to shelter
ALBUQUERQUE – As Albuquerque entered the winter months and temperatures began to steadily drop, Albuquerque Community Safety (ACS) reactivated its overnight shelter transport hotline, providing people living outdoors with a reliable, lifesaving path to warm, secure shelter.
Since relaunching on November 1, ACS’s Emergency Overnight Shelter Transportation Service has already made a significant impact. Throughout November, ACS transported 523 individuals to shelters across the city, a 5% increase compared to November 2024, helping them avoid the dangers that come with falling temperatures and deteriorating weather.
“We’re making sure anyone who needs a bed has one and is provided a warm, secure space away from the cold,” said Mayor Tim Keller. “ACS’s ability to transport people directly to shelter is filling a vital need as we move deeper into these winter months.”
Operating nightly from 8 p.m. to 7 a.m. through March 2026, the service ensures that anyone in need of overnight shelter during the cold weather season can call the ACS hotline at (505) 651-5515 to be connected to an available location.
(See video for more information about our Emergency Overnight Shelter Transportation Service)
“Our overnight responders are committed to ensuring no one is left outside as temperatures fall,” said Walter Adams, ACS Deputy Director of Field Operations. “Getting someone to shelter at the right time can literally save a life. This program helps us make sure everyone has a warm, safe place to go.”
ACS continues to work closely with the City of Albuquerque’s Housing and Homelessness (HHH) Department and its Gateway System of Care, along with other City departments and community partners, to ensure individuals transported have immediate access to a warm place to stay.
ACS receives referrals from Metro Security, APD, AFR, as well as from individuals and community members, allowing teams to respond quickly and connect people with safe shelter. As colder weather sets in, ACS remains ready to assist anyone seeking safety.
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About Albuquerque Community Safety: ACS is the City of Albuquerque’s third branch of public safety. Responders take calls for service involving behavioral health, substance use, and other non-criminal and non-medical issues. Request an ACS Responder by calling 911 for emergencies and 311 for non-emergencies.