The home where an eviction case in February landlord told a Clovis magistrate judge last week he intended to sell this home, making it unnecessary for him to enroll in a new eviction diversion program. (Photo by Patrick Lohmann / Source New Mexico)
A New Mexico Department of Health project designed to meet people experiencing homelessness in rural communities with barriers to transportation, language and services needs more funding.
The call came from a presentation to state lawmakers from the department’s appointed boss, Patrick Allen. The health department secretary advised the New Mexico Legislative Health and Human Services Interim Committee on Monday that the $4 million appropriated from the legislature last year needs to grow.
“We’re not trying to deal with homelessness comprehensively in this project. This is really looking at a slice of it,” Allen said.
He added that challenges people face connecting with services are compounded in more rural settings, including fewer services available and longer distances to reach them.