Albuquerque City Council Approves Landmark Agreement with Youth Development Inc. to Address Young Adult Homelessness

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — The Albuquerque City Council has formally approved EC-25-428, establishing a Professional Service Agreement with Youth Development Inc. (YDI) to provide critical sheltering, case management, and housing navigation services for young adults experiencing homelessness. This action marks a significant step forward in the city’s multi-phase initiative to create a comprehensive continuum of care for vulnerable youth ages 18 to 25.

The project is a direct response to a 2022 Comprehensive Needs Assessment that revealed between 1,200 and 2,300 young people are experiencing homelessness on any given night in Albuquerque and Bernalillo County. The new Youth Center, which is a key component of the City’s vision, is designed to offer a safe, supportive, and developmentally appropriate environment for transition-aged youth who often lack the support systems needed to secure stable housing.

"When I learned about the unique challenges faced by unhoused young people in our community, my heart broke,” said Renée Grout, District 9 City Councilor. “Anyone who has parented a young adult knows they need independence as well as support. But too many young people don't get the support they need from their own families. While government institutions can never take the place of a loving, supportive family, YDI will provide a safe space and age-appropriate services where they can continue to learn and grow to maturity. That's why I'm so excited about this contract with YDI. They've been around for over 50 years, and they know our community."

“Finalizing this contract with YDI is a reminder of what can happen when vision meets action,” said City Council President Brook Bassan, Council District 4. “This is a collaborative effort to create lasting change for young people who need us most.”

The City Council has taken a trauma-informed design approach, engaging with stakeholders and young adults experiencing homelessness to develop a vision that prioritizes rapid stabilization, life skills development, and a successful transition into permanent, independent living. With the approval of this agreement, the project is poised to expand on its initial successes.

“I’m overjoyed the Council approved this contract with YDI and to see our years of work moving closer to reality,” said District 7 City Councilor Tammy Fiebelkorn. “I’m proud that District 7 continues to lead with compassion, opening its arms to support unhoused youth at a time when too many communities are saying ‘not in my backyard.’”

Project Progress and Future Plans

The first phase of the project, which saw a total of more than $14.1 million committed, has already established a physical living space with 23 beds. These accommodations provide immediate, stable shelter for up to 90 days. Onsite services and amenities are currently operational and include a warming kitchen, laundry facilities, and offices for intake and case management. A program framework has been created with input from community providers to ensure a low-barrier, trauma-informed approach focused on employment support and educational opportunities.

Looking ahead, the project’s success hinges on the completion of subsequent phases, which will be supported by a remaining balance of over $7.7 million.

Phase II: The immediate goal is to add 40 more beds to expand capacity. This phase will also see the development of a full kitchen and life skills training space, recreation areas, and enhanced programming focused on self-sufficiency.

Phase III: This final phase aims to create 50 units of transitional living for young adults who have completed six months of programming, providing a crucial bridge to independent living.

The full implementation of these three phases is essential for providing the longer-term stability needed for young adults to move from crisis into full independence.