The Problem
Homelessness is defined as a temporary condition that people fall into when they cannot afford to pay for a place to live, or when their current home is unsafe or unstable. The New Mexico Coalition to End Homelessness estimates that there are at least 17,000 people who will experience homelessness in New Mexico over the course of a year. The large amount of homeless people around the University of New Mexico campus and from downtown Albuquerque up to the Nob Hill area makes the city feel unsafe and unwelcoming. Not only does it give Albuquerque a bad reputation but many homeless people suffer from disabilities and are often unable to take care of themselves. Poverty is also a major cause of homelessness, Albuquerque's poverty level is ranked fourth highest in the nation! Building more low-cost living communities would help get people off the streets and keep them from dying. If we do not take any action the problem will persist and possibly get worse.
The homeless come with a stigma that the area is polluted and dangerous so not many people visit and spend time in the area. Not only will new housing for the homeless help them live a better life and get back on their feet, it will have many other positive effects on the city. The downtown area will see better foot traffic and restaurants and shops will see an increase in business helping the local economy. A cleaner and safer city can also lead to more tourism. New housing for the homeless does not only help them but it helps the entire city of Albuquerque; be the next step to a better city.
The homeless come with a stigma that the area is polluted and dangerous so not many people visit and spend time in the area. Not only will new housing for the homeless help them live a better life and get back on their feet, it will have many other positive effects on the city. The downtown area will see better foot traffic and restaurants and shops will see an increase in business helping the local economy. A cleaner and safer city can also lead to more tourism. New housing for the homeless does not only help them but it helps the entire city of Albuquerque; be the next step to a better city.