BernCo approves $1.2M for two housing projects

Nov. 15—The Bernalillo County Commission unanimously approved $1.2 million for two projects aimed at providing more housing on Tuesday.

Commissioners passed an intergovernmental agreement with the city of Albuquerque for Community Connections Supportive Housing (CCHS) vouchers. CCHS, a county-city partnership, "provides housing subsidies and supportive services for homeless or precariously housed individuals exiting incarceration or frequently booked into Metropolitan Detention Center and/or high utilizers of emergency and detoxification services," according to the county.

The vouchers, which will be administered by the Bernalillo County Housing Department, will provide financial assistance to 40 unhoused people who are diagnosed with mental illnesses or substance abuse disorders. The 40 vouchers total $448,910, or $11,222 per voucher.

Housing vouchers are part of a federal program that assists low-income families with affordable housing. Housing subsidies are paid to the landlord directly by public housing agencies on behalf of the participating family. The family pays the difference between the actual rent charged by the landlord and the amount subsidized by the program.

"Contracting with recovery housing providers to pay a set fee per bed is another means that can assist in covering or offsetting resident placement costs, similar to how the city currently funds housing vouchers for the homeless," according to a feasibility study conducted by the city.

Commissioners also approved the county's $800,000 contribution toward the city of Albuquerque Recovery Housing project, also known as Recovery Gateway. The project is a recovery based micro-community of prefabricated homes that will serve 50 people at a time. Recovery Gateway is the first housing project from the city. The project broke ground in October, and officials expect the site to be fully operational early next year.