On Thursday, January 25th Heading Home staff were honored to engage with the legislature during New Mexico Coalition to End Homelessness Lobby Day. Homeless advocacy and service groups from around the state gathered at the state capitol to educate and share information with our representatives about the importance of providing funding for permanent supportive housing and services for those most in need in our community.
This year’s focus revolved around the following bills:
Bill: HB132
Sponsors: Representative Tomás E. Salazar (D70)
Title: Housing Services Assistance for Homeless Persons
Summary: Appropriates $2 million from the general fund to the Human Services Department (HSD) for “use in FY2019 for the N.M. Mortgage Finance Authority to assist people who are homeless with Rapid Rehousing Services including case management services, life skills training, housing counseling, short-term and long-term rental assistance and other services that help homeless people obtain and maintain stable permanent housing.”
Bill: SB73
Sponsors: Senator Howie C. Morales (D28)
Title: Supportive Housing & Health Services for Homeless Persons
Summary: Appropriates $2.5 million from the general fund to the Human Services Department (HSD), for use in FY2019 for permanent supportive housing services “including case management services, life-skills training, housing counseling and rental assistance and other services to help people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness with behavioral health-related disabilities obtain and maintain stable permanent housing.”
Both bills are now in committee.
Nandini Kuehn, a board member with our service partner Albuquerque Healthcare for the Homeless, also spoke to KUNM (starts at 21:36) regarding the legislative priority among advocates to keep Medicaid funding strong and maintain the expansion that has allowed for critical access to medical services for those experiencing homelessness in our state.
For more photos, check out our Facebook photo album.
