The Homeless Coordinating Council — consisting of members from the city, Bernalillo County and the University of New Mexico — met Tuesday. The council was created to generate ideas that might bolster programs and services for the homeless population in the Albuquerque metro area and to back a variety of housing initiatives.
Here are three takeaways from its November meeting.
Data-sharing pitfalls cause gaps in service
Homelessness data sharing among government and nonprofit agencies can mean ineffective coordination with programs and services. While the city and county use one data-sharing platform, the state is interested in a separate system. The executive director of the New Mexico Coalition to End Homelessness said the problem that presents, however, is that another system would require more agency resources and staff that aren’t available.
Bernalillo County Commissioner and coordinating council member Adrian Barboa noted that issues with data sharing have been a problem for years. She’s hopeful the council’s focus on it — which includes the formation of a new subcommittee to come up with solutions — will ensure people don’t slip through the cracks.