“All I Needed Was a Chance.” Gateway West Offers Pathways to Stability

Albuquerque – Gateway West, the state’s largest shelter, is actively transforming into a hub of resources and building pathways to housing.

10 out of 12 dorms have been renovated, and key services have been introduced, including case management, quarterly resource fairs, and expanded access to healthcare.

Joshua Talley, a former Gateway West resident, has seen this transformation firsthand.

In November 2023, Joshua faced unemployment and financial hardship, leading to him becoming unhoused on one of the coldest nights of the year. Through Albuquerque Community Safety, he was connected to Gateway West, where he had a warm bed to sleep at night with his two dogs.

He was eventually connected to a sober living facility where he lives today.

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Now, Joshua regularly visits Gateway West, telling his story and working to connect residents to housing. He also encourages people to go to the shelter for a warm bed and to get connected to life-changing services.

“All I needed was a chance to get some rest and cleaned up. You get three meals a day. It's safe. It's warm in the wintertime, it's cool in the summertime,” said Joshua. “Now, some of the people that I've spoken to, they just love the renovations that are being done in the dorms.”

“7 years ago, we began offering around-the-clock shelter out of an urgent community need for a safe space to sleep at night,” said Mayor Tim Keller. “Now we’re transforming Gateway West into a space that goes beyond shelter. It’s meeting people where they are by providing services that create pathways to healing and housing. “

“Joshua’s story highlights the importance of providing entry points where people can safely rest and access resources,” said Health, Housing and Homelessness Director Gilbert Ramirez. “Gateway West has become a vital component of the Gateway System of Care. It’s meeting the immediate needs of our unhoused neighbors and connecting them to their next step.“