Homeless Services

The Family and Community Services Department is a key player in the City's effort to end homelessness. Our services include prevention, outreach, shelter, housing programs, and supportive services.

Note: Report encampments within Albuquerque city limits to 311 by calling 311 (505-768-2000) or report using the ABQ311 App

Homelessness is a harsh reality in Albuquerque and we’ve outlined a multi-faceted approach to try and help as many of our unhoused neighbors as possible. Our approach factors in preventative programs, emergency shelter, supportive housing, and more. In collaboration with our community partners, we’re addressing immediate needs while working to enhance Albuquerque’s system of care by building the Gateway Center to provide centrally located wraparound shelter and services.

Call 505-768-HELP(4357) for housing programs, shelter information, and food, shower, and clothing resources.

You can also text 505-600-2835 or email the Homeless Helpline.

Cooling Centers and Resources

Download a pdf version of the 2023 Cooling Centers and Resources.

Find indoor relief from rising temperatures at the following locations around Albuquerque.

Air Conditioning, Water, Sunscreen

American Indian Center: 505-268-1751 105 Texas SE

Mon. to Thurs. 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Fri. 8:30 a.m to 2 p.m.
Pets welcome, meals offered.

Compassion Services Center: 505-268-1751; 541 Mesilla SE

Mon. to Sun. 7:30 a.m. to 10 a.m.; 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Showers available, Pets welcome during the day, meals offered.

HopeWorks 505-843-9405: 1201 3rd NW

Mon. to Fri. 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Pets welcome, meals offered.

Other Indoor Meals

The Rock: 505-246-8001 2400 2nd NW

Breakfast 9 a.m., Lunch 12 p.m. Tues. to Fri. Open at 11 a.m. on Sunday

See the full meal schedule and the timetable for the free Community Support Shuttle.

Additional City Resources

Please note that all 22 community centers are also air conditioned and free to the public. For additional service providers and resources, please visit our Emergency Shelters & Street Outreach page and our Meals page.

Click on a topic below to learn more about how we are addressing homelessness and how you can help.

What We Are Doing

Homeless Help

How to Help

Gateway Center

Encampments

Safe Outdoor Spaces

What We are Doing

We are increasing emergency shelter options and adding supportive housing because housing is key. Housing allows folks to focus on other needs like finding employment, obtaining quality childcare, and taking care of physical and mental health.

Under Mayor Keller’s leadership, the City, along with community partners, has strengthened the overall system of care for people experiencing homelessness. The City, in collaboration with community partners, has:

coordinated street outreach to people living in public spaces
converted the Westside Emergency Housing Center to a year-round shelter, doubling the number of year-round shelter beds available
increased annual investment in supportive housing by 44% since FY18
invested $10 million in the Workforce Housing Trust Fund to create new, high-quality housing for lower and moderate-income Albuquerque residents
launched a new $21.4 million emergency rental assistance program (ERAP) to keep people housed who are in danger of being evicted. Learn more on our Eviction Prevention page.

View More Family & Community Services News

The City of Albuquerque supports extensive research into homelessness in Albuquerque. Read more on our Homelessness Prevention Page.

2022 Albuquerque Point-In-Time Report

Homeless Help

Call 505-768-HELP(4357) for housing programs, shelter information, and food, shower, and clothing resources.

You can also text 505-600-2835 or email the Homeless Helpline.

The Department of Family and Community Services partners with the New Mexico Coalition to End Homelessness (NMCEH) to operate the 505-768-HELP (4357) Helpline, to assist people experiencing a housing crisis to remain housed or exit homelessness quickly by connecting them to resources such as rental assistance and legal services or conduct the necessary assessment to register unhoused callers into the Coordinated Entry System to apply for supportive housing programs.

How to Help

Donate to the OneABQ Housing Fund

Donate by clicking above or at any Wells Fargo Bank

Get Involved

Contact your City Councilor and get involved with City Council meetings.
Get involved with your neighborhood association
Attend a meeting of the One Albuquerque Homeless Advisory Council
Sign up to receive our HomelesSolutions newsletter
Sign up to receive the Albuquerque Community Safety Department newsletter

Follow Family & Community Services on social media

Follow Albuquerque Community Safety on Social Media

Gateway Center

The City acquired the Gibson Medical Center in April 2021 and renamed it the Gibson Health Hub. The campus hosts existing tenants providing medical, behavioral health, and vocational services. The City's Gateway project will add additional health resources for the community as well as centrally located emergency overnight beds and supportive services to connect people with the help they need on their pathway to housing.

View Information About the Gateway Center

Encampments

How to Report

Encampments within city limits can be reported to 311. A member of the City outreach team will visit the reported site to address the encampment and offer resources.

Read the City of Albuquerque Encampment policy, revised October 2022.

Safe Outdoor Spaces

A SOS is a lot, or a portion of a lot, developed to provide designated spaces for occupancy by tents, recreational vehicles, and/or light vehicles. Designated spaces are provided to occupants at no charge. A safe outdoor space offers social services and support facilities. The Department of Family & Community Services reviews Operations / Management / Security Plans for proposed safe outdoor spaces, which is required for the application to the Planning Department.

Two Safe Outdoor Spaces are now open for vehicles

Westside Emergency Housing Center
- 20 Vehicles, up to 30 people
- Call 505-839-9193 to reserve a space
Albuquerque Opportunity Center
- 12 Vehicles
- Call 505-344-4340 to reserve a space

New Mexico Coalition to End Homelessness

The City of Albuquerque is a member of the New Mexico Coalition to End Homelessness, which assists communities to create solutions to homelessness from prevention through permanent housing by using action, advocacy, and awareness.

The NMCEH also conducts the annual Point In Time count which is a census taken of the unhoused population on a single night in January.

Email: [email protected]
Homeless support: Call: 505-768-4368 Text: 505-600-2835
Admin team: 505-982-9000
Visit the New Mexico Coalition to End Homelessness website.