WEHC: Lunch is back, Dorm and Outdoor Space Improvements on the Way

The Westside Emergency Housing Center remains an important part of Albuquerque’s homeless response system and the largest single site shelter in the state. The City is moving forward on improvements to the interior and exterior of the facility to improve quality of life for the people staying there.

“These investments help us meet people where they are and better support them during their stay and on their journey to housing,” said Homeless Innovations Officer Maria Wolfe. “This facility was not originally built for this purpose, so the City and County are patterning to make the WEHC a healthier place for the hundreds of people who stay there every night right now.”

Two currently unused dorms are under renovation to improve the bathrooms, flooring and lighting. With funding from the County, the City also recently purchased new beds, mattresses, pillows, linens and storage lockers for the entire facility. These two dorms will be the first to receive the new beds as they are delivered. Renovations will continue two dorms at a time so as not to decrease vital bed capacity during the cold winter months.

City Council also appropriated funding last week for renovations to the outside of the building. Architects are already working on the plans, which will include an exercise area for pets as well as shade structures, seating, landscaping, and raised garden beds.

The WEHC has also returned to serving three meals a day through the winter with a new warming kitchen that is nearly finished. A recently added 8 p.m. bus gives people an additional opportunity to get to the shelter in the evenings.