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Public input sought on transitional housing project in Bernalillo County

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  Published in House and Home on Tuesday, November 4th 2025 at 10:28 GMT by KOB 4
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Public Input Sought on Transitional Housing Project in Bernalillo County

Bernalillo County officials have opened a public comment period for a new transitional housing project that aims to provide short‑term accommodation and supportive services for people experiencing homelessness. The project, which is slated for a site in the eastern part of Albuquerque, is part of the county’s broader strategy to address the rising number of people without stable housing and to create a pathway toward permanent homeownership and self‑sufficiency.

The announcement, made by the Bernalillo County Housing Authority (BCHA) in a press release distributed to local news outlets, highlighted that the facility will offer 75 housing units designed to accommodate individuals and families for up to 12 months. During that period, residents will have access to case management, job readiness training, mental health counseling, and other services that the BCHA and its partners plan to deliver. “Transitional housing is the bridge that takes someone from homelessness to a permanent, stable home,” said BCHA Director Maria Gonzales in a statement. “We are excited to bring this project to the community and to provide a space where residents can regain stability and build a brighter future.”

The facility’s construction is expected to cost approximately $23.5 million, a sum that will be partially financed by federal funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) under the Continuum of Care (CoC) program. Additional support will come from the county’s Housing Development Block Grant (HDBG) and a local contribution of $3 million from the Bernalillo County Economic Development Council. The BCHA also secured a $4.2 million grant from the state’s Housing Trust Fund, which is earmarked specifically for projects that provide transitional services to homeless individuals.

According to the BCHA’s project outline, the chosen site is a former industrial property located on 28th Street and E. 27th Avenue. The property was previously used as a warehouse for a logistics company but has been vacant since 2017. The county’s planning department has already conducted an environmental assessment of the site, and no major environmental concerns were identified. The BCHA will be responsible for the design and construction of the facility, working with a local architectural firm, and will oversee a phased build schedule that starts in early 2026, with occupancy projected for mid‑2027.

In order to meet the requirements of the federal HUD CoC program, the county must obtain public input on the project’s design, location, and service plan. Accordingly, the BCHA has scheduled a public hearing for Thursday, March 28, at 2 p.m. in the County Hall meeting room on 4th Street. The hearing will also serve as an opportunity for residents to voice concerns or support for the project, and to suggest additional services or modifications that could improve the facility’s effectiveness. All members of the public are encouraged to attend, and the BCHA will provide a live stream of the meeting on its website. The hearing will be followed by a written comment period that will remain open until April 24.

The BCHA has issued a formal request for public comment through a website form that will collect comments on a variety of topics, including the site selection, the number of units, the types of services offered, and any potential community impact concerns. Residents can also download a PDF of the project’s preliminary design plans and a summary of the planned services. In a separate press release, the BCHA highlighted that the public comment period will be considered integral to the final project design and that all comments will be documented and responded to in a public response document. The county also emphasized that the facility will be designed in a way that minimizes disruption to the surrounding neighborhood, with noise‑control measures, landscaping, and community outreach plans.

The need for transitional housing in Bernalillo County has grown sharply in recent years. According to the latest county homeless count conducted in 2023, approximately 3,700 people in the county were experiencing homelessness on the night of the count, an increase of 8% from the 2022 count. Of those, nearly 40% were families with children, and more than a quarter were veterans. The county’s comprehensive homelessness strategy, adopted in 2021, includes expanding transitional housing, increasing affordable rental options, and bolstering outreach programs. The transitional housing project represents the first major new facility of its type in the county in more than a decade.

In addition to the BCHA’s role, the project will involve several other partners, including the Albuquerque Housing and Redevelopment Authority (AHRA), the Department of Human Services (DHS), and the non‑profit organization Habitat for Humanity. AHRA will provide guidance on integrating the new facility into the broader housing market, DHS will help coordinate mental health and substance‑abuse services, and Habitat for Humanity will assist in volunteer recruitment and community engagement. The partnership underscores the multi‑agency nature of addressing homelessness and reflects a growing trend in local governments to collaborate with non‑profits and private entities.

The BCHA’s statement also mentioned a partnership with the local police department to ensure safety and security at the site. “Our police partners will be involved in creating a safe environment for residents and staff,” said County Commissioner Luis Mendoza. “We’ll work together on protocols that respect the dignity of residents while maintaining a secure facility.”

The transitional housing project is part of a broader effort by Bernalillo County to meet the goals set forth in the National Alliance to End Homelessness’s “Plan to End Homelessness” framework, which emphasizes prevention, rapid rehousing, and permanent supportive housing. While transitional housing itself does not provide permanent solutions, it is a critical component of a continuum of care. Residents who complete the transitional program have shown a higher likelihood of moving into permanent housing than those who remain on the street, according to studies conducted by the Urban Institute.

The BCHA has also announced that the facility will feature an on‑site community kitchen, a small library, and a recreation area for children. The design plans call for energy‑efficient features such as solar panels and green roofs, and the project will be evaluated for LEED certification. The facility will also include a staff office that will house case managers and a counseling suite. These additional amenities are expected to improve the quality of life for residents and to attract a broader range of clients, including those who have experienced trauma or who are in the process of reintegrating into the workforce.

As the county moves forward with the project, the BCHA has pledged to keep the public informed through regular updates on its website, social media, and by hosting town‑hall meetings. The next key milestone will be the release of the final project plan, which is expected by late May, after the completion of the public comment period and the finalization of the design. The BCHA will then move forward with a request for proposals (RFP) for the construction contractor and will begin the procurement process.

In the coming weeks, residents, local businesses, and advocacy groups will have the opportunity to shape the final form of the transitional housing project. The county’s commitment to transparency and public engagement is intended to ensure that the facility not only addresses the immediate housing needs of Bernalillo County’s most vulnerable residents but also serves as a model for community‑driven solutions to homelessness.