Homelessness

Demanded a winter moratorium on encampment sweeps, criticized use of MDC as de facto shelter, and questioned a reported 17-officer squad targeting unhoused people.

A woman experiencing homelessness at Gateway described her path toward nursing school and proposed splitting the homeless population into three groups with specialized services.

Criticized city policies and sweeps affecting unhoused residents, urging more humane support.

An unhoused transgender man who urged the council to stop criminalizing homelessness and raise the minimum wage.

Described her coalition's homelessness forum series and urged a pause on enforcing the sidewalk ordinance, saying shelters are full.

Spoke from lived experience asking the council to pass legislation providing funding for recovery homes and housing stability.

Provided services at Gateway West and supported measures to ensure public spaces remain safe while addressing the root crisis of homelessness.

Shared how finding support and employment helped him transition out of homelessness, stressing the need for comprehensive assistance.

Shared personal recovery story and emphasized that people succeed when surrounded by support rather than being left to suffer in public places.

Ran a women's recovery home and urged the council to find sustainable, long-term positive outcomes for vulnerable populations.

Shared personal success story utilizing housing funds and structure, asking the council to continue supporting these programs.

Presented a research-based report from a coalition of 30 organizations regarding safe streets, arguing that fines and jail time are ineffective without housing options.

Shared lived experience of being unhoused with a child, emphasizing the need for mental health support, recovery, and housing guidance.

Criticized city sweeps and enforcement policies affecting unhoused individuals.

Argued that discussions around gun violence should not be conflated with the issues caused by unhoused individuals.

Urged the council to enact collaborative, win-win legislation rather than punitive measures that increase long-term community costs.

Pointed out that unhoused individuals are required to move multiple times in a year under current city pathways, lacking true stability.

Expressed gratitude for city staff assistance regarding housing relocation but requested help with logistics and moving belongings.

Addressed the council regarding the root causes of homelessness and the limitations of public comment time limits.

Expressed concerns regarding public speech protections and political discourse in local government.

Supported legislation addressing public encampments while emphasizing the need for real solutions and recovery programs.

Shared personal experience in recovery and emphasized that unhoused individuals need stability, treatment, and opportunity rather than punishment.

Welcomed new officials, raised concerns about cannabis-related schizophrenia on the streets, and described penalty trends against people living in cars.

Cited rising deaths of unhoused residents and a ProPublica report, asking the council to impose a moratorium on encampment sweeps.

Advocated ranked choice voting with 'none of the above,' and described visible homelessness downtown, urging a permanent humane solution.

Thanked councilors who participated in and helped distribute resources for the annual homeless point-in-time count, encouraging others to join.

Shared her experience of homelessness as a teen and argued camping bans, hostile architecture, and votes against tenant protections harm the most vulnerable.

Said sudden rent jumps and hidden fees made him homeless eight years ago, and demanded accountability from the council.

Opposed the Quirky Books encampment closure and offered a CARE plan alternative; also supported immigrant family protections.

Criticized the city for fining a used bookstore owner while a recovery center closed intakes; described people lining up at 4 a.m. in 20-degree weather.

Pastor invoking Epiphany, urged a sweeps moratorium, winter eviction freeze, and a renewed homeless coordinating council; later described a family member hit with a surprise $60 cleaning fee.

Spoke twice: against sweeps as a 'cruel waste of resources' and for the rental fee protections as a renter living paycheck to paycheck.

Asked for a moratorium and a stability-first approach with toilets, water, and case management instead of displacement.

Cited a 35% increase in homelessness and $1M spent on sweeps since 2021; urged investing in housing instead; said 'leave Quirky books alone.'

Spoke for the Coalition for a Safer Albuquerque, arguing $7M spent on Operation ZS Shield could have funded 700 housing vouchers for a year.

Urged a moratorium on sweeps, noting the city isn't safer or cleaner since sweeps resumed; later also supported the rental ordinance and asked for a state of emergency declaration.