Housing and Treatment Navigation to Expand at Gateway Center

The Women’s Housing and Treatment Navigation Center at Gateway Center is making a lasting impact on our community by serving more than 900 people since opening. Over the last year, more than 89% of those served were connected to their next steps, including housing, treatment, or transitional housing.

Today, the City is expanding this mission by opening 92 beds at the Men’s Housing and Treatment Navigation Center and expanding the Women’s Housing and Treatment Navigation Center by 50 beds. “It was only three years ago that we bought the old Lovelace Hospital,” said Mayor Tim Keller. “Today, we know our system of care works. We’re bolstering it to reach more people, and put them on the pathway to housing.”

Referrals will come from Gateway West, ACS, or another referring partner.

Each person at the Housing and Treatment Navigation Center will receive intensive case management and access to treatment, which often includes Ideal Option, which is a tenant of Gateway Center that offers outpatient substance use disorder treatment.

Operations are being paid for through an intergovernmental agreement with the State of New Mexico.

This includes the following allocations.

• $1.35 million will be allocated to expand the Women’s Housing and Treatment Navigation program by 50 beds.

• $1.35 million will be allocated for operating the first 42 Men’s Housing and Treatment Navigation Center beds. 

• An additional $1.35 million will go toward the operation of 50 additional Men’s housing and Treatment Navigation Center beds.  

“The State's investment will jump start the Gateway system with more services, more beds, and a much-needed facility for first responders to connect people experiencing homelessness to the resources they need,” said New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions Cabinet Secretary Sarita Nair. “Continuing to fund these critical services when the State's investment is complete should be a top priority for everyone who wants to see a safer and healthier Albuquerque.”

Chicanos Por La Causa, which oversees the original 50 Women’s beds and Gateway West, will also operate the 50 new beds.

Community Bridges Inc., which operates the First Responder Receiving Area, will also operate the 92 Men’s beds“The Housing and Treatment Navigation Center is an evidence-backed model that helps people in need of shelter get connected to services, treatment, and into housing. Said Gilbert Ramirez Executive Administrator of the city’s Health, Housing and Homelessness. “Now, we are expanding these trauma-informed services that address the root causes of homelessness. We look forward to continued expansion.”

Certified Peer Support Workers will be on staff for guidance and support.Residents will also have access to workforce training and job placement, among other key supports.“Men’s Housing and Treatment Navigation is a desperately needed service,” said Gateway Operations Officer, Jennifer McDonald. “Through the Point in Time Count, we know the majority of people experiencing homelessness are men. To begin meeting this need, the first step is to open our doors which is happening today.”