YOUR 2017 NEW MEXICO COALITION TO END HOMELESSNESS LOBBY DAY BRIEFING

Homeless Services Linked with Policy Change End Homelessness

Your 2017 New Mexico Coalition to End Homelessness Lobby Day Actions and Policy Updates Albuquerque Health Care for the Homeless (AHCH) was represented at Lobby Day by a diverse group of staff from across the organization including a medical provider, harm reduction specialist, engagement specialist, client advocates, case managers, administrative staff, and board members. AHCH showed up to act as change agents during the New Mexico Coalition to End Homelessness (NMCEH) Lobby Day on February 2, 2017. NMCEH Lobby Day is an important annual opportunity to directly lobby state legislatures and have our voices heard on issues affecting the lives of people experiencing homelessness. Your belief in our collaborative advocacy efforts to end homelessness resulted in the following legislative focus:

• House Bill 136: Increase funding for rapid rehousing. HB Sponsored by Representative Tomás Salazar. Bill would increase Rental Assistance Program by $2 million to serve an additional 280 families each year. Currently in the House Appropriations & Finance Committee.
• Senate Bill 273: Increase funding for Linkages Program. Provides permanent supportive housing. SB Sponsored by Senator Howie Morales. Bill would increase Linkages funding by $2.5 million and would serve an additional 280 households. The Senate Public Affairs Committee reported a Do Pass recommendation and the bill has moved to the Senate Finance Committee.
• MVD ID Requirements: Lobbied in support of increasing the amount of documents the MVD accepts to prove identity to obtain a state ID (one that cannot be used for federal purposes). AHCH, NMCEH, Crossroads, NM Center on Law and Poverty, Enlace Comunitario were present at the Senate Public Affairs Committee Hearing on the implementation of the Real ID, Driver Authorization Card (DAC), and Non-Compliant Identification Card. NMCEH meet with MVD Director Duran and other officials following the public hearing, along with Rep. Stephanie Garcia Richard, who is ready to introduce legislation if needed to ensure all New Mexicans can obtain a state identification card. Updates will be publishes as soon as they are available.

Check out this video of the NMCEH morning training and this video of the rally outside the Roundhouse. For a look back on AHCH Lobby Day achievements over the few past years, see: 2016 Legislative Updates, Lobby Day 2015 Recap, Anti-Racism Lobby Day 2015, and 2014 Lobby Day.