Homelessness has more than doubled in the last two years.

2,734 people were homeless on the night of January 29^th, 2024 in Albuquerque, a 109% increase from 2022. Over half of the unsheltered population reported that this was their first time on the streets. Since this is only a snapshot of the visibly unsheltered, advocates estimate the true number is much higher. AHCH alone serves over 5,000 people experiencing homelessness.

Over the course of 2023, nearly one million people experienced homelessness for the first time nationwide, the highest number ever recorded. Despite successfully housing people every day, people are becoming homeless more quickly than we can house them. We feel this acutely in Albuquerque as the cost of living is slowly forcing people to make hard choices between health care and housing.

Nobody should have to choose between health care and homelessness. At AHCH, we will continue to protect the right to be healthy and housed.

Access to adequate health care can mean the difference between getting back on your feet, getting sicker, or even dying. For AHCH, health care is housing and both are human rights. AHCH believes all people are entitled to health care, affordable housing, and and adequate income. We serve people in many stages of homelessness including those living in cars or motels, couch surfing, on the street, in shelters and in transitional housing. Having access to a doctor and medical care to take care of chronic conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, chronic pain, is essential. For over three decades, Albuquerque Health Care for the Homeless (AHCH) has served our community as the only health care organization in Central New Mexico dedicated exclusively to providing services to people experiencing homelessness. AHCH provides critical services to over 5,000 men, women and children every year. By addressing the health-related causes of homelessness, AHCH makes it possible for people to find solutions to end their homelessness.