Thanks to the New Mexico Coalition to End Homelessness (NMCEH) for organizing homeless service providers in engaging their representatives at the 2019 legislative session. Annually, NMCEH leads volunteers and service providers in dialoguing with legislators about systemic needs for addressing homelessness statewide.
This year, NMCEH and its contingent were advocating for:
- changing the allotted $2.5 million in new funding for housing within the behavioral health services budget from non-recurring to recurring
- support of House Bill 122, which expands the definition of the New Mexico Hate Crimes Act to include “a victim’s economically disadvantaged status and homelessness”
- support of House Bill 31, which aims to phase in a minimum wage to $12 an hour
- increasing funding for homeless assistance programs statewide
This year marks the 12th year that NMCEH has led Lobby Day for homeless service providers in the state. Their hard work has been critical for protecting and increasing funding for programs that provide solutions for homelessness in New Mexico.
