TUESDAY July 18, 2023: 'HOMELESS NEW MEXICO EXPLODING' by Albuquerque Journal photo-journalists Chancey Bush, Eddie Moore, Roberto E. Rosales, Adolphe Pierre-Louis:Orlando Santillanes, 42, holds his dog, Coqueta, as he sits inside the broken-down vehicle he has been living in for the past six months parked underneath Interstate 40 near Downtown Albuquerque. New Mexico has seen almost a 50 percent increase in the homeless population in the last year. A report given to lawmakers on the Legislative Finance Committee (LFC) outlines the lack of affordable housing as the state's homeless population surges. 'We do not have enough affordable housing to systematically move people out of homelessness,' LFC program evaluator Kathleen Gygi said. Welcome to 'HOMELESS NEW MEXICO EXPLODING'
© zReportage.com Story of the Week #897: TUESDAY July 18, 2023: 'HOMELESS NEW MEXICO EXPLODING' by Albuquerque Journal photo-journalists Chancey Bush, Eddie Moore, Roberto E. Rosales, Adolphe Pierre-Louis:Orlando Santillanes, 42, holds his dog, Coqueta, as he sits inside the broken-down vehicle he has been living in for the past six months parked underneath Interstate 40 near Downtown Albuquerque. New Mexico has seen almost a 50 percent increase in the homeless population in the last year. A report given to lawmakers on the Legislative Finance Committee (LFC outlines the lack of affordable housing as the state's homeless population surges. 'We do not have enough affordable housing to systematically move people out of homelessness,' LFC program evaluator Kathleen Gygi said. Welcome to 'HOMELESS NEW MEXICO EXPLODING'

ORLANDO SANTILLANES 42, holds his dog Coqueta as he sits inside his broken down vehicle he has been living in for the past six months parked underneath Interstate 40 near Downtown Albuquerque.
© Chancey Bush/Albuquerque Journal via ZUMA Press Wire

ORLANDO SANTILLANES 42, holds his dog Coqueta as he sits inside his broken down vehicle he has been living in for the past six months parked underneath Interstate 40 near Downtown Albuquerque.
© Chancey Bush/Albuquerque Journal via ZUMA Press Wire

REYNALDO MARTINEZ, 55, who was a resident of the unsanctioned homeless encampments of Coronado Park, hangs out underneath the I-40 underpass with his belongings near Downtown Albuquerque.
© Chancey Bush/Albuquerque Journal via ZUMA Press Wire

COLLEEN THORPE holds a sign 'Any And All Help Is A Blessing' in the median at the intersection of Coors Blvd and Montano Rd in Northwest Albuquerque. Thorpe has been experiencing homelessness for four months. She said in the past she was unhoused for over three years.
© Chancey Bush/Albuquerque Journal via ZUMA Press Wire

A homeless camp underneath Interstate 40 near Downtown Albuquerque. New Mexico's homeless population has surged by 48 percent over the last year, a trend complicated by a steep decline in affordable rental housing statewide since 2020.
© Chancey Bush/Albuquerque Journal via ZUMA Press Wire

REYNALDO MARTINEZ, 55, who was a resident of the unsanctioned homeless encampments of Coronado Park, gives his friend's dog Bonita a kiss underneath the I-40 bridge with his belongings near Downtown Albuquerque. The city officially closed Coronado Park earlier that morning.
© Chancey Bush/Albuquerque Journal via ZUMA Press Wire

COLLEEN THORPE holds a sign 'Any And All Help Is A Blessing' in the median at the intersection of Coors Blvd and Montano Rd in Northwest Albuquerque. Thorpe has been experiencing homelessness for four months. She said in the past she was unhoused for over three years.
© Chancey Bush/Albuquerque Journal via ZUMA Press Wire

Coronado Park remains closed after the City moved all the homeless from the park near Downtown Albuquerque last summer.
© Adolphe Pierre-Louis/Albuquerque Journal via ZUMA Press Wire

ROBERT BYRNE, 41, packs up his campsite after APD told him to leave as he was camping on private property near the intersection of Broadway and Indian School Road in Albuquerque. Byrne has been living on the streets of Albuquerque since May 19th after coming to New Mexico from Arizona.
© Chancey Bush/Albuquerque Journal via ZUMA Press Wire

CHRISTINE BARBER, a community advocate, looks to turn right onto Central Avenue while talking with the Journal about the rehab scams targeting the Native homeless population in the International District in Albuquerque. Barber said the scammers pull up in white vans, promising rehab and housing in Arizona.
© Chancey Bush/Albuquerque Journal via ZUMA Press Wire

CHRISTINE BARBER, a community advocate, is reflected in the rear view mirror while taking with the Journal about the rehab scams targeting the Native homeless population in the International District in Albuquerque. Barber said the scammers pull up in white vans, promising rehab and housing in Arizona.
© Chancey Bush/Albuquerque Journal via ZUMA Press Wire

Sgt. ERIKA MUNOZ and other members of the New Mexico Army National Guard Honor Guard, perform military honors for the cremains of 29 veterans at the Santa Fe National Cemetery. The veterans are unclaimed, mostly homeless, and many from Bernalillo County. This is the 13th year of the Forgotten Heroes program that offers a military funeral to all veterans of New Mexico.
© Eddie Moore/Albuquerque Journal via ZUMA Press Wire

PATRICIA MCDANIEL, a Homeless woman who lived at Coronado Park for 4 years before its recent closure talks about receiving a motel voucher from City services.
© Adolphe Pierre-Louis/Albuquerque Journal via ZUMA Press Wire

Roberto E. Rosales.Individuals who have been served by city's homeless services. Stephen Phrovienti and his two nephews Marcelino Phrovienti, 8, seen here on the left and his brother Marcus Bery, 10, who he is raising became homeless due to COVID-19 after their landlord sold off the home they were renting. Legally blind, the trio bounced around, including at a friend's house and the city-run 'wellness' motel before finally landing a rental voucher to get in their current apartment.
© Roberto E. Rosales/Albuquerque Journal via ZUMA Press Wire

An APD officer check IDs of two homeless men at a makeshift camp on First Street NW under the I40 freeway. The area is frequented by a group of former residents of Coronado Park that remains closed after the City moved all the homeless from the park near Downtown Albuquerque last summer.
© Adolphe Pierre-Louis/Albuquerque Journal via ZUMA Press Wire

PRISCILLA MONTANO keeps warm around a bonfire at a makeshift camp on First Street NW under I40. Montano, who has been homeless for 3 years is a former resident of Coronado Park that remains closed after the City moved all the homeless from the park near Downtown Albuquerque last summer. She is waiting for a voucher to move to a permanent housing.
© Adolphe Pierre-Louis/Albuquerque Journal via ZUMA Press Wire

SEAN ESKELI a Homeless man who lived at Coronado Park before its recent closure talks about receiving a motel voucher from City services.
© Adolphe Pierre-Louis/Albuquerque Journal via ZUMA Press Wire

: Workers with Mountain States Crane and Ecoterra, LLC, move one of 13 portable buildings onto a lot off Montano Road in Albuquerque. This is phase 1 of what will be 37 buildings moved onto Saranam's ADC Family Campus to provide 27 houses for homeless families. The portable building were once classrooms for Albuquerque Public Schools. The campus is expected to be open by fall.
© Eddie Moore/Albuquerque Journal via ZUMA Press Wire

Gateway Center Administrator CRISTINA PARAJON, L, and Operation Manager DOUG CHAPLIN brief the media on the project that will transform the old Lovelace Hospital Gibson location into an overnight homeless shelter that will also offer medical care.
© Adolphe Pierre-Louis/Albuquerque Journal via ZUMA Press Wire

HopeWorks CEO Greg Morris discusses getting ready to open the new 42 apartment building for homeless people with mental health disorders. The complex is called Hope Village and it's located next to the homeless shelter on third street.
© Roberto E. Rosales/Albuquerque Journal via ZUMA Press Wire

The Tiny Homes village is currently housing several former homeless individuals. Artists now have been invited to paint murals within the compound bring a little more of a home feel for all.
© Roberto E. Rosales/Albuquerque Journal via ZUMA Press Wire