Holiday Park Community Center FAQ
April 16, 2020
Background: Holiday Park Community Center is currently closed to regular community center activity. As of Tuesday, April 14th Holiday Park Community Center is providing emergency housing for women 50 years and older who do not have homes. These older vulnerable clients are being placed to reduce the density from other facilities and the potential transmission of infection. Heading Home, a non-profit organization with expertise working with individuals without homes, operates the WEHC and will provide the staffing at Holiday Park.
We appreciate the schools and neighborhoods around Holiday Park Community Center for working with the City of Albuquerque and Heading Home during this time of need. Thank you for being a part of the solution to help our most vulnerable community members.
Q: What is the criteria for placement at Holiday Park?
A:This facility is only for women, 50 years of age and older who do not have homes and usually because they have been homeless they tend to have more chronic conditions (e.g. asthma, diabetes). Albuquerque Healthcare for the Homeless comes in twice a week to check on people and address needs. This is not a facility for men or families.
Q: How many women will be at Holiday Park?
A: A maximum of 30 women will be at Holiday Park.
Q: How will Holiday Park be staffed?
A: Heading Home staff will be there 24/7. There are three shifts of staff, with two staff members every shift. One regular community center staff will be there from 8- 8 p.m. to address facility needs.
Q: Are there rules clients must follow?
A: Yes, clients must follow specific rules to be able to remain in the shelter. These rules include: no violent behavior, lights out at 10 p.m. and no walking on or off the Community Center property. Clients sign an agreement acknowledging the rules to be sheltered.
Q: Do these clients have COVID-19?
A: No. Clients are screened for COVID-19 daily just as they are screened daily at the WEHC.
Q: How long until the center transitions back to being a community center?
A: Re-opening depends on the pandemic and the public health orders to keep our community safe. It is anticipated clients will be there at least until the end of May.
Q: Can clients come and go from the community center?
A: No, this is not a walk-up facility. Access to Holiday Park, occurs by van from the Westside Emergency Housing Center. If people need to go somewhere (e.g. medical appt., work) they are transported via a van which the City provides. Transportation is not via the regular City bus.
Q: Can the clients at Holiday Park have visitors?
A: No visitors are allowed.
Q: Are there designated areas within Holiday Park Community Center that are used?
A: Clients have access to the mini-gym for sleeping. Cots have been supplied by the City’s Emergency Operation Center. Clients also have access to the game room, computer lab and the bathrooms with showers. Required cleaned practices occur every two hours.
Q: Can clients be outside in the park?
A: No.
Q: Can clients smoke in the building?
A: Clients must follow regular community centers rules and cannot smoke in the building. Clients can smoke right outside of the building with supervision. A smoking receptacle is in place.
Q: Can clients have pets?
A: No.
Q: Are these clients currently being drug tested, on parole or probation?
A: No. The WEHC (and Holiday Park) does not drug test. Best practice is to be a low-barrier shelter. We do not perform background checks at the WEHC. Some WEHC clients are on probation or parole. Shelter staff is trained to cooperate with law enforcement agencies who seek information about these clients.
Q: Can you please let the community know what to expect?
A: The community can expect to see a van coming and going from Holiday Park twice a day. Since the community center is closed to all other activity (e.g. youth), it is quieter than normal. Guests at Holiday Park are fed three meals a day. Since they are seniors, Dept. of Senior Affairs provides food. A clothing van/Community Connections from Sagebrush Church may come in the weeks to come to provide needed clothes.
Q: Can community members contribute financially to help those in need?
A: Yes! Contributions can be made to Heading Home at www.headinghome.org or to the One Albuquerque Fund at onealbuquerque.org.
For more information, please contact: Doug Chaplin, City of Albuquerque, Family and Community Services, [email protected]