In 2015, Richard J. Berry, who was then mayor of Albuquerque, N.M., decided to help the people who stand by the roadway with “willing to work” signs. His idea was to offer them paid work that would start them on a path to a better life and at the same time develop a stronger foundation for the city.

The city rolled out the “There’s a Better Way” program and made strides to help residents experiencing homelessness find a more stable future by offering day jobs with the city’s waste management department.

“It was originally a collaboration between the city and a private, nonprofit organization to connect the unhoused with the program,” explained William Gallegos, Albuquerque’s solid waste management director.

“Within two years, the program provided nearly 1,700 day-labor jobs, 216 long-term jobs, and helped to transition 20 people into permanent housing. It also connected more than 150 people to mental health and substance abuse services,” Gallegos said.

While it seems simple to some that if people without homes had jobs, they could afford housing and get their life back on track. But the solution is not always so easy. According to the Urban Institute, there are a number of factors that create barriers to finding and keeping employment for people without a home. The most basic requirements for applying for work include having an address, an ID, a birth certificate and suitable clothing. These are often out of reach or not easily accessible for people experiencing homelessness. In addition, the lack of transportation, childcare and means of personal hygiene disproportionately hinder people who are homeless.

Health issues tend to afflict those experiencing homelessness as well. Urban Institute studies show that  poor health is associated with a “higher risk of homelessness and job loss, and conversely, homelessness can exacerbate poor health, as housing is a social determinant of health. With that said, many people with health conditions and disabilities can and do work but may need additional targeted supports.” Health issues include both physical and mental health as well as alcohol and drug addiction.

Previous criminal records are also a hindrance to finding stable, well-paying jobs.

While “There’s a Better Way” connected people with jobs, provided transportation to work sites and worked to educate Albuquerque’s approximately 560,000 citizens on ways to support the unsheltered residents in their community, there were no other services, long-term supports or the guarantee of work the next day, Gallegos said.

When the pandemic hit, the jobs program ended – much to the disappointment of city employees as well as program participants.

In the years since the first program, Albuquerque has learned from that experience. A new program, slated for funding in the FY 2025 budget cycle, has been named “A Better Way Forward.”

The initiative will offer day jobs to individuals staying at two centers in Albuquerque, as well as transportation to and from their worksites. Expanding on the partnership with the city’s waste management department, “A Better Way Forward” expects to provide employment with the Duke City Ambassadors program and the Clean Cities division to keep streets and sidewalks in Albuquerque clean and safe. It will also connect participants to services like financial literacy, banking and case management.

“A comprehensive support system is critical to improving someone’s chance of achieving long-term stability, and employment opportunities are a key part of that system,” said Health, Housing and Homelessness Director Gilbert Ramirez.

The new jobs program is part of the city’s commitment to finding innovative solutions to the problem of homelessness. Additionally, two centers that house homeless individuals have undergone extensive renovations. Gateway Center is a former hospital complex that was purchased by the city, and Gateway West was an emergency housing center. Both now house hundreds of people seeking shelter and provide a system of care that offers critical services, including transportation, meals and medical care.

The city made an investment of $6 million in Gateway West to install new floors, fresh paint, improved bathroom facilities, new beds with lockable storage, a new roof, air conditioning and energy-efficient lighting as well as shade structures, outdoor seating, dog parks, paving and improved ADA accessibility. That’s in addition to services currently offered, including a medical clinic, case management for people aged 60 and over, three meals a day and transportation.

The number of people who are without permanent housing in Albuquerque has increased dramatically in the last 10 years. One reason cited is that rent and home prices in the city are higher since the pandemic. A one-day snapshot in early 2024 of the number of people without housing was 2,740. However, Gallegos said, “National organizations like the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development have indicated that these counts don’t capture the full scope of the issue, and the city agrees.”

Mayor Tim Keller, in his recent state of the city speech, estimated that there are roughly 5,000 people experiencing homelessness in Albuquerque.

City officials believe that the “A Better Way Forward” program provides those experiencing housing instability the dignity of gaining structure in their lives while giving back to their community.

Gallegos said initially the city will enroll 10 people in the program. They will have access to long-term jobs with the Duke City Ambassadors.

“The goal is to expand the program as quickly as possible but we want to make sure we focus on optimizing it to ensure an efficient enrollment process for future ‘A Better Way Forward’ workers.”

He added that after the city’s earlier program began, similar initiatives were started in Chicago, Seattle, Denver, San Diego, Anchorage, Honolulu, Dallas and Atlanta.

“Moving forward, we plan to revisit those programs and any new ones – to access successes and challenges, all toward the goal of making ‘A Better Way Forward’ the best it can be.”

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