ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Homelessness has been on the rise in New Mexico over the past two years, and efforts to turn that around will receive attention on several fronts in 2019.

The state has the highest number of people experiencing chronic homelessness in the U.S., according to the Department of Housing and Urban Development. That's based on the annual Point In Time survey conducted at shelters and on the street during a single night in January.

Hank Hughes, executive director of the New Mexico Coalition to End Homelessness, said rates dropped significantly after peaking during the Great Recession in 2011, but are now climbing again. He said he'd like to see more state revenue allocated to address the problem.

"The main thing we're looking for this legislative session is for the state to invest more money in housing solutions,” Hughes said, “for rapid re-housing for homeless people as well as permanent, supportive housing for homeless people who are disabled."

The high cost of housing has become a big contributor to homelessness nationwide. To address that, commissioners in Bernalillo County - the state's most populous county - have approved short-term housing vouchers for people in recovery or who are living with mental illness.

Last fall, Albuquerque unveiled a citywide plan to address homelessness. The city's 2019 Point in Time survey is scheduled for January 28.

Last year's survey showed that 15 percent of homeless adults in New Mexico were veterans - the second-highest percentage in the country, behind Montana. Hughes said among those veterans, about 42 percent had been continuously homeless for a year or more.

"The big problem are the people who can't get out of it by themselves, and whose lives are basically ruined if they stay too long homeless,” he said. “And we have found that there are more veterans and chronically homeless people than we at first realized, which makes those efforts a little harder."

A bill to expand New Mexico's Hate Crimes Act to include those who are economically disadvantaged has been filed for consideration in the upcoming state legislative session.


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A new report shows Montana has the nation's most rapidly rising homeless population. Advocates for more affordable housing call the situation critical.

One Kalispell-based shelter is asking for state funding to expand, and do what it can to help.

The most recent Annual Homelessness Assessment Report shows Montana saw a 551% increase in its unsheltered population, the steepest rise in the country between 2007 and 2023.

Kalispell-based Samaritan House Executive Director Chris Krager said he feels the pinch every night.

"I like to think we can handle it," said Krager. "We're trying to address it. Samaritan House, we see between 95 and 105 people every night."

That's capacity for Samaritan House, which Krager said has been full every night for a decade - and often has to help people find other options.

He has asked for state funds to expand the facility, which would double its occupancy.

In addition to building single and multi-family housing, Samaritan House also plans to create housing for veterans.

Krager said they often experience mental health issues along with homelessness. The report shows Montana was one of only four states with an increase in homeless veterans.

"Kalispell is the largest city in Montana with no dedicated homeless veteran housing," said Krager. "So, we're going to fix that. The reason this is serious is because the nature of homelessness in Montana - certain times of the year, it could be fatal. So, we want to really be on our game, especially if it's cold out."

More than 30% of people in Montana's homeless shelters reported a mental health and/or substance use disorder in 2022. The report shows in some shelters, that number is nearly two-thirds.




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Georgia lawmakers appear to be taking a major step toward safeguarding property owners against people who occupy homes or apartments illegally, with what's known as the Squatters Reform Act.

House Bill 1017 passed unanimously in both the Georgia House and Senate. It would make illegally occupying personal property a criminal matter, rather than a civil case. This means the rightful owners can get people out of their homes sooner who don't belong there.

The move is expected to bring relief to such residents as Dan Rodgers, who said he once felt squatters had more legal protection than property owners.

"I think the new three-day process is going to benefit a lot of homeowners," Rodgers said. "It seemed like previous squatters' rights were giving them the opportunity to hide behind process."

Under the Squatters Reform Act, people would have to provide valid documentation of their right to occupy the property within three business days or face arrest for criminal trespass. Those who present documents would have their case reviewed within seven days to establish its legitimacy.

Georgia law has required homeowners to file an "Affidavit of Intruder" in the court system to remove squatters from their property, which can take weeks or months. Rodgers, who owns property in Muscogee County, said he hopes the new legislation will serve as a deterrent to those who previously sought to take advantage.

"I don't think that there's very many circumstances we could think of with a normal trespasser having as many protected rights as squatters do, and ending up being able to really affect people's livelihood," he said. "So, I really feel like it's a really good incentive for people to do the right thing."

The bill was sent to Gov. Brian Kemp this week and is pending his signature to become law.


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A case out of Oregon soon to be heard by the U.S. Supreme Court could have a major impact on how cities treat homelessness. Oral arguments for 'Johnson v. Grants Pass' are scheduled for April 22.

It concerns an ordinance in the City of Grants Pass that banned people from sleeping in public, including a prohibition on the use of blankets and pillows.

Loren Naldoza, public policy advocate with Oregon Food Bank, which filed an amicus brief with 15 other organizations in the state in support of the plaintiffs, said homelessness isn't a lifestyle choice.

"It's an involuntary state of being because there have been systems or crises - like our housing crisis, our cost of living crisis or personal crises - that are impacting people across the state, that converge together and make it harder for people to stay stably housed," he explained.

The 9th District Court ruled in favor of the plaintiffs that the Grants Pass law violates the Eighth Amendment against cruel and unusual punishment. Supporters of the Grants Pass law say cities should be allowed to decide their own policies rather than the federal government.

Naldoza said criminalizing homelessness isn't an effective tool and would only create more hunger and poverty, and added people who exit the criminal justice system struggle in many different ways.

"What you get at the end is criminal record, which makes it harder for people who are formerly experiencing homelessness to find a safe, stable or affordable place to call home. And it's also hard to get gainful employment, especially if the employment requires a background check or licensure," he continued.

Naldoza added there are more effective ways to address this crisis.

"What we really need to be investing in is care and compassion, and treatment and other resources that people actually need to exit their experience from homelessness," he said.