Metropolitan Homelessness Project http://www.mhp-nm.org Dedicated to Ending Homelessness Mon, 02 Apr 2012 19:46:30 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3 Government Alone Can’t Solve Problem of Homeless Veterans http://www.mhp-nm.org/government-alone-cant-solve-problem-of-homeless-veterans/ http://www.mhp-nm.org/government-alone-cant-solve-problem-of-homeless-veterans/#comments Mon, 02 Apr 2012 19:41:36 +0000 Robert Nelson http://www.mhp-nm.org/?p=1425 Continue reading →]]> By Hank Hughes, Executive Director, New Mexico Coalition to End Homelessness

Article featured in the Albuquerque Journal on Friday, March 30, 2012

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has announced that veteran
homelessness declined by 12 percent from January 2010 to January 2011. This is remarkable, given the economic situation and large numbers of veterans returning from Afghanistan and Iraq.  The issue of veteran homelessness can feel like an overwhelming, unsolvable problem. Yet, we actually know what it would take to help homeless veterans end their homelessness.

We know that homeless veterans can succeed when they have housing they can afford and support and services that will help them keep that housing – such as job training, mental-health treatment, substance-abuse treatment and health care.

The reduction in veteran homelessness shows that when we have the collective political will to invest in proven solutions, homeless veterans are able to obtain housing, keep that housing and again become contributing members of their community.

In 2009, the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs released a comprehensive plan to end
homelessness among veterans by marshalling the resources of government, business and the
private sector. The plan focused on linking homeless veterans and those veterans most at risk of homelessness to education, jobs, health care and housing. The plan is based on the understanding that the primary need of homeless veterans is housing, but that they also need support and services to keep their housing.

The VA has made remarkable strides in implementing its plan, in large part through the Veterans Supportive Housing Program, also known as the VASH program. The VASH program, which is collaboration between HUD and the VA, serves homeless veterans who have a disability. HUD provides the housing, while the VA provides dedicated social services and high-quality VA health care.

Since 2009, the VA and HUD have successfully housed 33,597 veterans through the VASH
program. In New Mexico, 150 homeless veterans have obtained housing through the VASH
program, which operates in Albuquerque, Santa Fe and Gallup. The New Mexico VA is also in the process of housing another 55 homeless veterans through the VASH program.

Knowing that more than 33,000 homeless veterans now have a safe place to call home should give us a reason to be optimistic and hopeful. Still, we cannot be complacent. There remain at least 67,000 homeless veterans on any given night in this country.

The federal government alone cannot end veteran homelessness. If we want to end homelessness among veterans in New Mexico, we need a strategic commitment from the state, local governments, private funders, businesses and the faith-based community to continue investing in proven solutions to veteran homelessness.

New Mexico Veterans Helping Homeless Veterans is one private-sector organization that raises funds to help homeless veterans. This group then works with the New Mexico Coalition to End Homelessness to distribute these funds to nonprofits that provide services, shelter and housing to homeless veterans.

With these types of public and private strategic efforts – at both federal and local levels – we can help our homeless veterans leave the streets permanently and rebuild their lives.

 

]]> http://www.mhp-nm.org/government-alone-cant-solve-problem-of-homeless-veterans/feed/ 0 Be A “Verdant Volunteer” this Spring at the Metropolitan Homelessness Project! http://www.mhp-nm.org/be-a-verdant-volunteer-this-spring-at-the-metropolitan-homelessness-project/ http://www.mhp-nm.org/be-a-verdant-volunteer-this-spring-at-the-metropolitan-homelessness-project/#comments Thu, 22 Mar 2012 17:30:26 +0000 jessicac http://www.mhp-nm.org/?p=1409 Continue reading →]]>   

Hello All!

It’s that time of the year again when the world is shaking off it’s winter mantle and stretching up to the warmth of the coming sun.

The Metropolitan Homelessness Project is blessed to have some pretty spectacular areas for gardening, here in the middle of the city!

What we need are some volunteers that are able to come in and help out with starting the gardens with seeds and seedlings, and maintain the gardens over the summer. Each year we are happy to see the new faces that arrive a the shelter, and so grateful for the beauty those gardens provide the residents at the shelter.

If you are interested in becoming one of our “verdant volunteers”, please give our Volunteer Coordinator, David Sisneros, a call at 344-2323×106, or email him at davids@mhp-nm.org.

Thanks so much, and I can’t wait to see you here at the shelter!

Jessica

 

 

]]> http://www.mhp-nm.org/be-a-verdant-volunteer-this-spring-at-the-metropolitan-homelessness-project/feed/ 0 2012 Duke City Sleep-Out Event Coming Soon!! http://www.mhp-nm.org/2012-duke-city-sleep-out-event-coming-soon/ http://www.mhp-nm.org/2012-duke-city-sleep-out-event-coming-soon/#comments Thu, 22 Mar 2012 16:43:46 +0000 jessicac http://www.mhp-nm.org/?p=1402 Continue reading →]]> 2012 Duke City Sleep Out!!

What is It? It is a terrific event to both raise awareness in our community about the issues surrounding homelessness, and also to raise money for the Metropolitan Homelessness Project! So join a team, or just come on out to spend a fun night with people who share your passion for helping others.

This is a great place  and time to meet new people,

 

 

When: Friday, May 04, 2012 at 6:00 PM
–to–
Saturday, May 05, 2012 at 8:00 AM

Location

Balloon Fiesta Park
Albuquerque, New Mexico

Contact

Duke City Sleep Out
505-239-5803
dukecitysleepout@mhp-nm.org

 

We hope you will join us again this year for the Duke City Sleep Out May 4, 2012!

 Won’t you support our efforts in ENDING homelessness in the greater Albuquerque area by pledging to camp out one night?

2012 Sleep Out Includes:
Live bands
Urban Entertainment
Lawn Games
Midnight Movie Madness
Stargazing & Storytelling
Family Fun

HOW TO GET INVOLVED:
Start your own camping team! 
- Registration is just $25 and includes a SLEEP OUT shirt and entrance into the event!
- Pick a cool name
- Set a fundraising goal
- Recruit your most fun friends, family, and co-workers
- Tell everyone you know to join in the fun!
- Raise as much $ as you can for MHP
- Get ready to camp!!!

Top Fundraising Teams get a VIP spot in Team Tent City!

Need the $25 Registration Fee? Make this your FIRST request to a donor! Have them give you the $25 pledge to register for the event and get started!

Not a camper? (Really it’s a great way to try it out!) OR Don’t live in the 505? – Donate to the Friends of MHP Team!

Volunteer at the event! From stuffing bags, to coordinating bands, we have a position for anyone who who wants to help!

]]> http://www.mhp-nm.org/2012-duke-city-sleep-out-event-coming-soon/feed/ 0 OLO Yogurt Day Benefits Duke City Sleep Out! http://www.mhp-nm.org/olo-yogurt-day-benefits-duke-city-sleep-out/ http://www.mhp-nm.org/olo-yogurt-day-benefits-duke-city-sleep-out/#comments Wed, 07 Mar 2012 21:32:26 +0000 Robert Nelson http://www.mhp-nm.org/?p=1368 Continue reading →]]> It’s OLO YOGURT DAY!  Stop by OLO Yogurt in Nob Hill on Wednesday, March 7 and purchase delicious FRO YO anytime between noon and 10 pm and proceeds of sales will benefit the Duke City Sleep Out! Bring your office, your family, your friends and your neighbors in for a tasty treat for a GREAT cause!

If you haven’t signed up yet – WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR? Sleep Out with us May 4-5 at Balloon Fiesta Park and help end homelessness in Albuquerque.  Registration is just $25 per camper.  Collect donations and pledges to give up your bed for just one night to sleep out under the stars, and those pledges go straight to the MHP!  Did we mention the great live bands, story telling, star gazing, urban entertainment, awesome food, and late night movie at the Sleep Out?  Don’t miss it!

See YOU Under the Stars… AND AT OLO Yogurt TODAY!

- Duke City Sleep Out

]]> http://www.mhp-nm.org/olo-yogurt-day-benefits-duke-city-sleep-out/feed/ 0 One Year Later ABQ Heading Home Aims to Raise The Bar http://www.mhp-nm.org/one-year-later-abq-heading-home-aims-to-raise-the-bar/ http://www.mhp-nm.org/one-year-later-abq-heading-home-aims-to-raise-the-bar/#comments Mon, 20 Feb 2012 21:37:40 +0000 Robert Nelson http://www.mhp-nm.org/?p=1355 Continue reading →]]> Breaking News!  76 Find Places To Call Home

By  on Fri, Feb 3, 2012

One year after its launch, the Albuquerque Heading Home anti-homelessness initiative on Thursday had reason to cheer.

In February 2011, the goal of Mayor Richard Berry’s initiative was to find rental housing or apartments for 75 of the most vulnerable people in the city’s homeless population. Since then, it placed 76.

“We’ve had a good first year,” Berry said to a small crowd at an anniversary gathering Downtown. “We really have.” 

One man who attended, who found a new home through the project, donated $50 of his own money to see it continue.

Because the first year was so successful, Berry said, the goal for this year is housing 90 more.

“It’s a stretch, but it’s a good stretch,” said Dennis Plummer, the project’s executive director. “It challenges us.”

By a conservative estimate, Albuquerque is home to at least 2,000 homeless people, Plummer said, referring to a January 2011 survey. In Heading Home’s own survey of 1,000 homeless people, 500 were medically vulnerable.

Of those placed in the last year, two have left the program and four have died. As these initial years go by, the program expects to see a retention rate of about 70 percent, Plummer said.

Even when people leave the housing, Plummer said, the project – a collaboration of the city, affordable housing organizations, homelessness services, nonprofits and law enforcement to find housing for medically at-risk homeless people – will continue to help them find a place to live.

Last year the project was funded by money from the city, private donations and a $1.5 million, three-year federal grant from the Federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Organizers hope to attract more private donations to offset the difference when the grant expires, Plummer said.

Martin Lampe (pictured above), 52, moved into his new apartment a month ago after being homeless for a year and a half. He found the apartment through Albuquerque Heading Home, a project of the city and several government and nonprofit agencies, which found homes for 76 of the city’s most at-risk homeless people. (pat vasquez-cunningham/journal)

Plummer said he’s confident Heading Home can reach the “90 more” goal this year. In part, because there’s been a surge: More than half of those housed in the last year came in the last three months.

Martin Lampe, 52, moved into his apartment a month ago after being homeless for a year and a half.

“It feels wonderful,” Lampe said, explaining that the best part of a home is the security. “You have a place to go every night.”

Stories like Lampe’s make Berry happy to have been a part of the initiative, he said. “It’s a humbling thing for me as a mayor,” he said. “I have a difficult time putting it in words.”

Berry’s office also released data from an independent study by the University of New Mexico Institute for Social Research, showing that the program makes a fiscal impact. For the first 33 people to find permanent housing, the cost of providing them emergency shelter fell 93 percent, the cost of jailing them fell 96 percent (about $43,000 per person) and the cost of outpatient care fell about 40 percent.

“There’s a lot of stigma against the homeless,” said James Coleman, who said he’d been struggling with homelessness on and off since 1998, but lost his most recent job because of the recession.

He said being in a new home, though he lives alone, has made him feel much less isolated than he has for a long time. “It’s a great relief of a lot of anguish,” he said.
— This article appeared on page C1 of the Albuquerque Journal

]]> http://www.mhp-nm.org/one-year-later-abq-heading-home-aims-to-raise-the-bar/feed/ 0 Meet Nichole Umbarger! http://www.mhp-nm.org/meet-nichole-umbarger/ http://www.mhp-nm.org/meet-nichole-umbarger/#comments Mon, 23 Jan 2012 07:00:05 +0000 Robert Nelson http://www.mhp-nm.org/?p=1336 Continue reading →]]> Nichole Umbarger is a program manager for Metropolitan Homelessness Project.  Nichole has been with MHP since January 2011.  She manages Community Voice Mail, a program that gives anyone in need a free, personal voicemail.  This service allows people in need to access opportunities in employment, housing, case management, health care and communicate with family members.  She also is MHP’s Exit Planner, helping those who reside in MHP’s emergency shelter find resources and housing.

Why did you choose to work in the social services field?

When I was in college I did an internship at a detox center & I felt a strong connection working with people who wanted help.

Why did you choose to work with people experiencing homelessness?

I didn’t really choose it, it chose me. I found people experiencing homelessness really just need someone who listens and wants to take part in their life by guiding them to resources that are available to them.

When did you know you wanted to do this work?

The first week I started I was hooked.  I enjoy being around people who know what it takes to survive.

What inspires you about your work?

The different people I meet every day. I know that my days will never be the same because of the people.

What is Community Voice Mail and why is it a unique program?

Community Voice Mail is a private local phone number. That is a reliable way to receive private messages, and keep in contact with the community.  By allowing individuals to use community voice mail for FREE, people can use it on a job application, or get the good news about housing and it allows them to become a part of society again without the stereotypes of being without a phone.

What impact does your non-profit have in the community?

Metropolitan Homelessness Project provides emergency shelter to 74 men experiencing homelessness. By allowing men to stay at the shelter for 30 days they have access to jobs & housing. By allowing individuals to know they have a safe place to sleep, they are able to focus on getting a job and finding housing. MHP is also the lead agency behind Albuquerque Heading Home, which is a program where the most 75 vulnerable individuals experiencing homelessness are housed. By having these programs MHP is able to provide services to individuals who are just down on their luck, or who are chronically homeless.

What is your favorite part of our community?

My favorite part about our community is how close the social services work together. It is nice to see everyone working towards the same goal.

 What’s one thing most people don’t know about you? 

I really enjoy tea parties with my friends.

Please share a memorable story that sticks out in your mind about your time with MHP.

I don’t think it is one time that is memorable about MHP; it is more the people that are memorable. It is an honor to be able to see residents when they first get here, and watch them grow. See them get a job, get a place, buy a car. Then see them around town and they tell they are married now, doing great. Then they tell you the simplest word that mean the world to anyone who has helped someone “Thank you.” That is the most memorable things about MHP watching people changes their lives.

]]> http://www.mhp-nm.org/meet-nichole-umbarger/feed/ 0 Sandia National Labs provides support to MHP. http://www.mhp-nm.org/sandia-national-labs-provides-support-to-mhp/ http://www.mhp-nm.org/sandia-national-labs-provides-support-to-mhp/#comments Mon, 02 Jan 2012 20:28:43 +0000 david http://www.mhp-nm.org/?p=1294 Continue reading →]]> ECP Campaign – OPEIU Donation

As a part of a recent ECP Campaign Sandia National Laboratories OPEIU Local 251 conducted a drive on behalf of Metropolitan Homelessness Project, one of the agencies where ECP Representatives toured.  They collected 20 pairs of socks, 12 sets of twin sheets, 20 knit caps, 8 backpacks and travel sized toiletries.  They also presented a $250 check from OPEIU.  The items were delivered on December 7th and were well appreciated.

Pictured from left to right: (Randy Woodcock/United Way, Diane Goins/OPEIU, Kelley Burns/OPEIU, David Sisneros/Metropolitan Homelessness Project)

]]> http://www.mhp-nm.org/sandia-national-labs-provides-support-to-mhp/feed/ 0 Year End Postcard Out! http://www.mhp-nm.org/year-end-postcard-out/ http://www.mhp-nm.org/year-end-postcard-out/#comments Thu, 22 Dec 2011 07:00:24 +0000 Robert Nelson http://www.mhp-nm.org/?p=1309 Continue reading →]]>

Check out our latest postcard that was just sent out!  The person pictured is Tim Stepetic, one of our many dedicated volunteers.  A couple weeks ago, Tim sat down with our Development Director, Jennifer Metzler, to create this wonderful piece.  Thank you for all of your hard work and dedication, Tim.  You help MHP get people home.

]]> http://www.mhp-nm.org/year-end-postcard-out/feed/ 0 Lobby Day! http://www.mhp-nm.org/1274/ http://www.mhp-nm.org/1274/#comments Mon, 19 Dec 2011 07:00:19 +0000 Robert Nelson http://www.mhp-nm.org/?p=1274 Continue reading →]]> From Lisa Huval, Policy & Advocacy Director at New Mexico Coalition to End Homelessness

SAVE THE DATE!

New Mexico Coalition to End Homelessness – LOBBY DAY

Wednesday, January 25th

The 2012 Legislative Session will be a 30 day session and will be all about the budget. We need to make sure our legislators protect funding for programs that people rely on to exit and avoid homelessness!

Staff, volunteers, clients & board members are all invited to participate in Lobby Day. We will prepare you for Lobby Day by providing a voluntary training prior to Lobby Day, providing you with fact sheets and talking points to distribute to legislators, assigning you to a team with an experienced team captain (lobbying is more fun in groups) and assigning your team specific legislators to talk with. We’ll also have breakfast that morning as a group to go over our talking points and answer your questions.

The tentative agenda for the day is:

  • 8:00am – 8:45am: Breakfast at the Inn of the Governors (within walking distance of the Capitol)
  • 8:45am – 9:15am: Overview of how to lobby & NMCEH legislative priorities
  • 9:15am: Walk up to Capitol
  • 9:30am – 12pm: Lobbying
  • 12pm – 12:30pm: Check-out & debrief

I know this is a hectic time of year for everyone, but I’d like to get a sense of who plans to participate and if you plan to bring others from your organizations. Please let me know if you think your organization will participate, and I’ll follow-up with you later to get a specific count of how many people from your organization will attend.

–

Lisa Huval
Policy & Advocacy Director
New Mexico Coalition to End Homelessness
(505) 217-9570
www.nmceh.org

]]> http://www.mhp-nm.org/1274/feed/ 0 KUNM Annual Social Justice Fair http://www.mhp-nm.org/kunm-annual-social-justice-fair/ http://www.mhp-nm.org/kunm-annual-social-justice-fair/#comments Wed, 30 Nov 2011 00:00:35 +0000 Robert Nelson http://www.mhp-nm.org/?p=1277 Continue reading →]]> Join Metropolitan Homelessness Project at KUNM’S 3rd Annual Social Justice Fair

When: Doors open 6pm, Thursday, December 1st.  Keynote is at 7pm.
Where: UNM Continuing Education Auditorium 1634 University Blvd. NE, ABQ
Cost: Free for KUNM members and $5 for non-members

KUNM’S 3rd Annual Social Justice Fair Thursday, December 1st features 20 local non-profit organizations & keynote speaker Greg Palast.  We’ll have a booth at the event, so stop by and visit us!  Palast will be speaking & signing his new book!  There will be DOOR PRIZES!  Call 505-277-0768 for more info.
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