New Mexico Homeless Shelters

The Restoration Center was opened in 1999 to meet the needs of a growing homeless population. Originally opened as a grain warehouse to accomodate the largely agricultural south valley in the 30's, the building had sat empty and crumbling for over two decades until the Albuquerque Rescue Mission purchased and renovated it.The Restoration Center is now a place of hope and healing for thousands of poor and homeless men, women and children.

The New Life Program for Men is a holistic 12-18 month program designed to help men who want to end the cycle of homelessness in their lives. The program addresses all areas in a man's life such as educational, vocational, physical addictions, spiritual needs and barriers to residency and long term employment.

Sonrisa Family Supportive Living Program provides eight apartments to homeless families with children. Below-market rents are based on income, and families can stay in the two- or three-bedroom apartments for up to two years while they save funds to move into permanent housing of their own. Children are the fastest growing homeless cohort nationwide, and studies have demonstrated the detrimental effects homelessness has on a child’s development. At Sonrisa, a program manager works directly with families and the children to address behavioral, employment, educational, medical and any other issues that may be impairing progress toward self-improvement and reliance. Financial counseling, life-skills training, parenting skills, weekly group discussions, recreational activities and close cooperation with public school counselors are required for all residents. In 2010, 100% of families who departed the program moved into permanent housing.

Siringo Senior Housing Program offers supportive services and below-market rents in an eight-apartment unit to homeless seniors 55 and older, with preference given to those 62 and above. After children, seniors are the second-fastest growing group of homeless individuals, and this program is specifically designed to assist them in moving into permanent housing within two years. An on-site program manager provides case management, financial counseling and assistance obtaining benefits and referrals to other human-services agencies and healthcare providers. Residents should be able to live alone with a high degree of independence and have some established source of income. It is the only such facility in Northern New Mexico, and 67 percent of residents leaving the program during 2010 moved into permanent housing.

Casa Cerrillos Supportive Living Program offers supportive housing in a 28-unit efficiency apartment complex to homeless adults with physical or mental disabilities, often with co-occurring substance abuse issues. Residents pay below-market rent based on income and can stay from a few months to several years depending on their needs. On-site counselors and program managers offer a full range of supportive services, from life-skills training to help obtaining benefits, to assist residents in becoming independent. During 2010, 83 percent of residents leaving the program did so to move into permanent housing.

Casa Cerrillos Supportive Living Program offers transitional housing in a 28-unit efficiency apartment complex to homeless adults with physical or mental disabilities, often with co-occurring substance abuse issues. Residents pay below-market rent based on income and can stay from a few months to several years depending on their needs. On-site counselors and program managers offer a full range of supportive services, from life-skills training to help obtaining benefits, to assist residents in becoming independent.