Rep. Vasquez Brings Home $2 Million to Improve Safety, Access at Albuquerque’s Largest Homeless Shelter

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – On March 31, 2026, U.S. Representative Gabe Vasquez (NM-02) visited Gateway West, the largest homeless shelter in New Mexico, to highlight $2 million in federal funding he secured to make upgrades to the facility to bolster public safety by improving accessibility, safety, and living conditions for Albuquerque’s homeless population.

After fighting for two years to secure this win for Albuquerque, Congressman Vasquez secured this $2 million project through the Fiscal Year 2026 Community Project Funding (CPF) process. The funding was delivered through the FY2026 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development appropriations bill and will support critical upgrades to the facility, including ADA-accessibility improvements, safer outdoor pathways, modernized shower facilities, and enhanced security cameras and infrastructure. This project is one of 15 that the Congressman secured for New Mexico’s 2nd district this year.

“Homelessness is one of the most pressing challenges facing Albuquerque. That’s why I delivered $2 million to Gateway to support the city’s efforts to tackle homelessness and get folks back on their feet,” said Vasquez. “We need both long- and short-term solutions that are humane and effective. Expanding access to this shelter, treating substance use disorders, and bringing down the cost of housing so fewer people fall into crisis will help folks find health and stability.”

During the visit, Rep. Vasquez toured the facility alongside local leaders and service providers, including officials from the City of Albuquerque’s Health, Housing, and Homelessness Department and Chicanos Por La Causa, which operates the shelter. 

Gateway West serves between 600 and 700 individuals daily and plays a critical role in Albuquerque’s broader “Gateway” system, which connects individuals experiencing homelessness with housing, healthcare, and supportive services. As a low-barrier shelter, Gateway allows individuals to access services without many of the restrictions common at other facilities, helping ensure more people can find safe shelter when they need it most.

The federally funded improvements will focus on making the facility more accessible for older adults and individuals with disabilities, including paving currently unpaved areas to reduce hazards and upgrading infrastructure to improve safety and sanitation.

The $2 million investment has been signed into law, and the City of Albuquerque is currently working with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to finalize the application and funding disbursement process. Rep. Vasquez’s office will continue working closely with federal agencies and local partners to ensure the funding is delivered as quickly as possible so construction can begin.

Rep. Vasquez is leading efforts to combat homelessness and improve public safety in Albuquerque and across New Mexico, including:

• Securing over $11 million to address homeless in New Mexico through the Continuum of Care program. 
• Introducing legislation to make housing more accessible and affordable, including his Keep Mobile Homes Affordable Act to stop greedy corporate landlords from predatory rent price gouging and the NAHASDA Modernization Act to support affordable housing in Indian Country.
• Cosponsoring the START Housing Act to reauthorize HUD’s Recovery Housing Program, which provides transitional housing for people with substance abuse disorders.

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