City Council Passes R-25-180: Albuquerque Expands Community Safety and Substance Use Recovery Services with $2.9M Investment

ALBUQUERQUE - The Albuquerque City Council has passed R-25-180, a major resolution that directs $2.9 million in opioid settlement funds toward expanding proven services that address the intersecting crises of homelessness, substance use disorder, and behavioral health through the Albuquerque Community Safety (ACS) Department.

This move strengthens the City’s strategy to respond to the highest acuity calls with trained professionals, while also directly addressing the behavioral health and housing needs of residents impacted by substance use.

This legislation appropriates $2,916,162.94 from the Opioid Settlement Fund (Fund 201) to support key initiatives through ACS’s Street Outreach Navigation Program, including expanding crisis response, eviction prevention, and recovery-focused housing stability services for individuals living unsheltered with substance use disorder.

Key Appropriations Under R-25-180:

• $1,016,162.94 will go to expanding crisis response services through ACS Street Outreach, including crisis stabilization and wraparound services for people experiencing substance use disorder and homelessness.
• $1,900,000 toward investment in housing stability, eviction prevention, and supportive housing services to increase stability for individuals in recovery.

“This is how we break the cycle,” said Mayor Tim Keller. “We’re using these funds to expand programs that work; housing people, connecting them to care, and reducing pressure on our emergency and public safety systems. Albuquerque is choosing solutions over stigma.”

The need for this investment is urgent. Bernalillo County has one of the highest opioid-related overdose death rates in New Mexico, and individuals experiencing homelessness are disproportionately impacted.

At the same time, the ACS Street Outreach Navigation program has shown measurable results: a 78% housing placement success rate among individuals engaged in services. With this funding, the City will scale up this high-impact approach, providing direct support to more residents in need and offering a coordinated response to two of Albuquerque’s most pressing challenges homelessness and addiction.

“This is about healing,” said City Councilor Nichole Rogers. “By expanding ACS Street Outreach and investing in sustainable housing solutions, we’re giving people the resources they need to take their next step whether that’s treatment, shelter, or simply safety.”

“This isn’t just the right thing to do morally, it’s effective,” said City Councilor Joaquin Baca. “ACS has already proven it can move people into housing and treatment. R-25-180 helps us reach even more individuals with the support they need.”

“These dollars go directly to where they’re needed most,” said City Councilor Renée Grout. “By preventing evictions and expanding crisis outreach, we’re helping vulnerable residents stay safe and reducing strain on emergency services.”

Without this appropriation, the City would miss a critical opportunity to expand a successful, evidence-based program. At a time when opioid-related overdoses and homelessness continue to rise, failing to act would leave a dangerous gap in services and increase strain on emergency rooms, law enforcement, and public health resources.

ACS was launched in 2020 as one of the first alternative response departments in the country, now employs over 60 full-time, unarmed responders trained in behavioral health, peer support, and crisis intervention.

With strong collaboration across Albuquerque Police, Albuquerque Fire Rescue, and community organizations, ACS offers a non-law enforcement response to mental health, substance use, homelessness, and other nonviolent emergencies.