City Councilors Approve Resolution Funding Housing and Sobering for Substance Use Disorder Services in the City’s Gateway System

ALBUQUERQUE – Tonight, the Albuquerque City Council approved R-25-141, sponsored by City Councilors Nichole L. Rogers, Tammy Fiebelkorn, Dan Champine, and Renée Grout, which appropriates $4,589,736 in opioid settlement funds. This funding will support, expand, and enhance the City’s comprehensive services for individuals in Albuquerque experiencing substance use disorder.

Last month, these councilors cosponsored R-25-128, which created the city’s implementation plan for the opioid settlement funds and allocated funds to nonprofits, local treatment providers, and APS’ Crossroads program. With the appropriation passed tonight, the majority of the current funds have been allocated to help the community with both prevention and treatment.

"This appropriation, in addition to the allocations approved last month, sets up a wide-ranging system of prevention and treatment options for the citizens of Albuquerque via city services, nonprofits, local treatment providers, and APS.," stated District 7 City Councilor Tammy Fiebelkorn. "This is what the citizens of Albuquerque asked for during the public input process, and I’m proud that my cosponsors and I were able to deliver."

The approved funding will be allocated to:
• Leveraging the Sobering Center: This initiative will expand medical support, harm reduction, inpatient treatment, and overdose prevention services. Funding will support the First Responder Receiving Area, Medical Sobering Center, and Micro Community Recovery Housing.
• Recovery Housing: Recognizing the critical link between housing stability and long-term recovery, this investment will provide stable housing options, particularly for individuals transitioning from incarceration or unstable environments.

“The Council’s approval gives the City’s Gateway Center the ability to immediately assess substance use disorders and provide the necessary treatment for those in need,” said District 6 City Councilor Nichole L. Rogers. “The funding for recovery housing is indispensable in successful addiction recovery.”

The City's Gateway system, once fully operational, is projected to handle more than 26,000 patient encounters per year, offering low-barrier, trauma-informed services that connect individuals to long-term recovery support.

“We are dedicated to ensuring that these opioid settlement funds are put to use in a way that directly benefits our community,” City Councilor Renée Grout, District 9 stated. “The evidence-based strategies developed in the plan will deliver both immediate relief and long-term solutions. The resolution requires accountability on where the funds are utilized.”

District 8 City Councilor Dan Champine expressed his optimism, saying, “Funding these measures gives us the opportunity to increase the capacity of Gateway, and to continue developing the additional services needed to get people the long-term help they need. Those turning away from substance use disorder need timely, appropriate care and ongoing support.”