New, safe outdoor space opens for Santa Fe homeless population
SANTA FE, N.M. (KRQE) – With more than 350 people living on Santa Fe’s streets, the city now has its first temporary city-sanctioned camp.
“This is another tool, another step, and it’s a good day for Santa Fe,” said Santa Fe Mayor Alan Webber.
It is another step in addressing homelessness in New Mexico’s capital city. In just around three months, the Christ Lutheran Church parking lot went from an empty space into a new first-of-its-kind “Pallet Village.”
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“They’re little modular homes. Again, they’re insulated. There’s one or two bunks, and they will have heating, air conditioning, a lock, and an address,” said Pastor of Christ Lutheran Church in Santa Fe Joene Harr.
The pilot program is starting with 10 shelters at the church parking lot for at least the next year. A group that serves the local homeless population, Life Link, is operating the shelters. They will provide case management, employment services, and other community resources for residents. The first group of residents will move in next month, with 24/7 security.
“We’re hoping that if we do everything we need to do on our end, we can hopefully transition them into a supportive housing solution,” said Life Link Outreach Services Program Manager Janelle Bohannon.
The million-dollar project was approved last April to buy 25 pallet shelters. Funding for the pallets comes from federal and local money.
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The city hopes this is just the start as it is still looking for other groups willing to use their property for the remaining pallets.
“We’re going to show that this is doable. We are going to find other parts of our community that want to have a safe outdoor space as well,” said Mayor Webber.
