ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – It could soon be easier to create sanctioned homeless camps in Albuquerque. The city wants to make changes to its “safe outdoor space” rules that they said will be less burdensome and they hope will help lead to more sites to keep people off the streets.
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The city of Albuquerque is proposing changes to current permitting and zoning rules which they said are more realistic.
“Making it so that someone can actually start one of these spaces and allow someone to get off the street and be somewhere where they can keep their belongings, they can wash their hands, they can access food, we think that’s a real solution,” said Policy and Government Affairs Administrator Shanna Schultz.
After the rules were put in place 4 years ago, two companion bills are aimed at making changes to the safe outdoor space rules. The city said changes are needed because the current requirements are too hard for operators to meet.
Right now, only one safe outdoor space is operating in the International District at New Creation Church. The proposals include lifting the plumbing requirement. The city said toilets, hand washing and showers would still be required but they can be portable.
Other changes would waive the $100 permit fee and remove the on-site staffing requirement.
“What the bill says or proposes to say is that a safe outdoor space could operate without that onsite management, but 90 days into their operation the city would go in to see how things are going. They would have the right to require that on-site management at that time,” said Shultz.
Behavioral health services, food, and other resources are currently required on site. The city proposes those services can be provided off site, whether that means transporting people to the Gateway Center, or having food delivered.
The proposal would also change the permit duration from two to five years. The city said that will give operations more time to get up and running. The bills are expected to be introduced to Albuquerque city council next week.
