The priorities of the South San Pedro Neighborhood Association wouldn’t be strange to other neighborhoods across Albuquerque: Increased safety and cleanliness, small business support, increased engagement with residents and elected officials. But its recent focus on housing solutions and services for those experiencing homelessness is less common.
Affordable housing and overnight shelter projects often face considerable pushback and a “not in my backyard” response from neighborhoods. The city’s flagship Gateway Center at Gibson Health Hub is one example. It received an avalanche of criticism early on from area neighborhoods concerned about safety and cleanliness.
“We want to see positive changes in the neighborhood for everyone who lives there, including respectable, affordable housing options with low-barrier access,” South San Pedro Neighborhood Association board chair Tawnya Mullen said. “Those decisions are not always up to us, but we want to be motivated towards a goal instead of just organizing against things.”
Like the Gateway Center, the South San Pedro neighborhood is located in the city’s International District — an area with a high number of people living without basic housing needs. The association recently formed a housing solutions committee born out of firsthand accounts from people struggling to survive.
“We decided to see what we can do as neighbors,” Mullen said. “These issues are happening across the nation and even the world. It’s a problem everywhere. We want to see more affordable housing for all income brackets.”
The committee asked city officials about progress toward creating safe campsites — otherwise known as safe outdoor spaces — as one temporary solution for those experiencing homelessness. While the idea initially had some support, it has lost traction in recent years. Such sites in other cities include security and provide bathrooms and sanitation. Campers are given access to behavioral health, mental health and substance abuse treatment services.
“We may not feel like these issues are our responsibility to address, however they are quite obviously not being addressed well enough in our neighborhood and many of our
residents want to see more done,” the committee said in a statement to its members.
‘They are our neighbors’
Mullen, a longtime nurse, has lived in the South San Pedro Neighborhood since 2015 and is very familiar with the International District.
“My grandmother had a house on Indiana [Street] and Kathryn [Avenue], so I’ve spent a lot of time over here,” she said. “I moved here because I love this community. I remember eating at Wilson Park when I was a little kid and gardening with my grandma. We have our challenges, sure, but there are a lot of positives.”
Mullen said she wishes elected officials would do more to inspire residents to get involved with those in need — to spur conversations about how to step in and make a difference.
“Because the problem’s not going away if we don’t all step up to help,” she said. “In our neighborhood, many of these people who are in the most vulnerable positions are already living here — they are our neighbors — and it only makes sense to do what we can to help.”
Mullen said she’s been encouraged by the work of Albuquerque Community Safety and said the neighborhood generally has a good relationship with the Albuquerque Police Department. It helps, she said, that the neighborhood hosts events with law enforcement like “Tacos with Police,” and “Coffee with a Cop.” She said City Councilor Nichole Rogers is also a fixture at community events in the district.
“I think a lot of positive change also comes when neighbors come together to solve things, and then the government can mimic what they’re doing later, or step in to support projects that neighborhoods have,” Mullen said.
‘Neighbors talking to neighbors’
Nick Hamill, president of the Fair West Neighborhood Association, located just north of South San Pedro, said he’s been inspired by the formation of the housing committee and the South San Pedro Neighborhood association’s work.
“It’s driven by a desire for neighborhood-specific, neighborhood-driven solutions,” Hamill said. “Local knowledge and neighbors talking to neighbors creates unique solutions.”
He said like South San Pedro, Fair West has also increased its frequency of in-person neighborhood events, supported small businesses and nonprofits, and coordinated with business owners through the Revitalize San Pedro Partnership.
More on the South San Pedro Neighborhood Association is here.