Homelessness_Summit_-_Resource_Guide_.pdf

Community Services Department Youth and Family Service Division

C I T Y O F S A N T A F E

Community Services Department

C I T Y O F S A N T A F E

2 0 2 6 M AY O R ’ S

H O M E L E S S N E S S S U M M I T

RESOURCE GUIDE

TABLE OF CONTENTS

To the people of Santa Fe, Homelessness is one of the most visible and pressing challenges facing our city today, and addressing it is among the highest priorities of my administration. Ensuring that every resident of Santa Fe has access to safe, stable shelter, housing, and the support they need to get back on their feet is not simply a policy goal. It is a moral commitment, and one that I believe this community is fully capable of meeting.

This Summit is a refl ection of that commitment. It is also a refl ection of something I have seen again and again in Santa Fe: when our community decides to come together around a hard problem, we bring both our full hearts and our full capacity to solve it.

None of what you see in this room, or in these pages, happened by accident. I want to take a moment to acknowledge the people and partners who made this Summit possible.

This Summit would not have been possible without the partnership of so many. To our county and state partners, service providers, philanthropic investors, and community, business, and faith leaders — thank you for showing up as true partners and neighbors in this work. I also want to recognize the members of our Homelessness Steering Committee, whose leadership helped shape this Summit and continues to guide our city’s strategic response. And to the staff of the City of Santa Fe, particularly the team in our Youth and Families Division working to address homelessness, your expertise and persistence on the front lines of this issue every day make all of this possible.

A MESSAGE FROM MAYOR MICHAEL GARCIA

Table of Contents & Message from the Mayor

Impact of Federal Resources

Homelessness Continuum Framework

Homelessness at a Glance

Mapping of Inventory

Systems Flow Analysis ........................................................................... 6-8

CONNECT

Key Terminology .................................................................................. 10-11

HOW FEDERAL BUDGET CUTS ARE IMPACTING OUR COMMUNITIES

Proposed federal HUD budget cuts of approximately 40-44% threaten major reductions to Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8), public housing, senior housing, and disability housing programs. Federal proposals have included converting housing vouchers into state block grants, creating signifi cant uncertainty for low-income renters and reducing the long-term stability of rental assistance programs. Proposed time limits and work requirements for housing assistance could place seniors, people with disabilities, and vulnerable households at increased risk of homelessness and housing instability. Proposed reductions to Continuum of Care homelessness funding would shift resources away from permanent supportive housing toward short-term transitional shelter models, threatening housing stability for tens of thousands of people nationally.

Aff ordable housing development tools have been targeted for reduction or elimination, including proposed cuts to the HOME Investment Partnerships Program and Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program, both of which support aff ordable housing and community revitalization. Other federal proposals are projected to aff ect federal rental assistance, Medicaid, SNAP and food assistance, and more.

Source: U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD)

IMPACT OF FEDERAL RESOURCES

This resource guide represents where we are today: what we know, what we are doing, and where we still have work to do. Homelessness is a complex issue with roots in housing costs, mental health, substance use, domestic violence, economic instability, and more.

There is no single solution. But there is a path forward, and it runs through the kind of honest, collaborative, and compassionate engagement you are participating in today.

I believe in this community and our collective power to exact change when working together. I believe in the people working in this space every day. And I am committed to ensuring that the City of Santa Fe continues to lead with both urgency and humanity on one of the defi ning challenges of our time.

Thank you for being here.

With gratitude, Michael Garcia Mayor, City of Santa Fe

HOMELESSNESS CONTINUUM FRAMEWORK

The Continuum Framework shows what must be successfully employed to support and prevent people from experiencing homelessness. Inconsistencies or absence in any one area erodes the framework that supports people experiencing homelessness.

Protection & Advocacy Internal or external activities that infl uence the environment the continuum operates in. Examples include policy development, criminal justice reform, and responsible housing advocacy.

Community Backing Compassion and understanding from the community, giving space for stabilization, healing, and independence.

Prevention & Diversion

Interventions designed to prevent households from entering homelessness. Includes eviction prevention, emergency fi nancial assistance, legal supports, etc.

Encampment Management & Outreach

Engagements with unsheltered populations to assess needs, connect them to services, and direct them to the best pathway for supports.

Emergency Sheltering

Short-term immediate housing for individuals experiencing a crisis, providing the beginnings of stabilization, safety, basic needs, and connection to other pathways that preserve individual dignity.

Transitional Housing Provides temporary housing and accompanying supportive services for up to 24 months to facilitate the successful progression into permanent housing.

Permanent & Supportive Housing

A national best practice for chronic homelessness.

Long-term subsidized housing with or without ongoing support services. Includes Rapid Re-Housing.

Supportive Services & Behavioral Health Available community resources that directly impact a person’s social determinants of health. Santa Fe’s CONNECT network provides care coordination and navigation for:

• Basic needs

• Behavioral health & substance use

• Education

• Family support services

• Health & healthcare

• Employment & income

• Legal services

• Personal & public safety

• Wellness & recreation

UNHOUSED COMMUNITY MEMBERS

Coordination & Infrastructure Activities required to sustain the entire system under a coordinated framework. Examples include:

• Defi ned leadership

• Strategic planning

• Budgeting & funding

• Partnerships & agreements

• Data analytics

• Performance measurement & improvement

ESSENTIAL SUPPORTING SERVICES (BELOW):

The foundation that allows the Continuum to function.

CONTINUUM CORE COMPONENTS (ABOVE):

Represents a throughput to independence for each person experiencing homelessness.

HOMELESSNESS AT A GLANCE

2025-2026 Homelessness Data

Source: New Mexico Coalition to End Homelessness & New Mexico Public Education Department

Sheltered

Unsheltered 60%

40% Increase since December16%

Chronically homeless

Actively Homeless in Santa Fe (as of April 2026)

44% out of every 10,000 residents in Santa Fe are homeless

64 Homelessness Rate Per Capita in Santa Fe County Public Schools (for school year 2023/24)

741Student Homelessness

Families Young Adults (Ages 18-24)

VeteransSingle Adults (Age 25+)

12% 7% 3%78%

AGENCY CAPACITY LOCATION

Agape House 98 beds 2801 Cerrillos Rd.

Santa Fe, NM

Consuelo’s Place 60 rooms (92 beds) 1600 St. Michael’s Dr. Bldg. 7 Santa Fe, NM

Española Pathways 24 beds 628 North Riverside Dr.

Española, NM

Esperanza Shelter, Inc. 30 beds *Location available upon admittance

Interfaith Community Services Group 25 beds (seniors) 1424 Cerrillos Rd.

(admin offi ce)

St. Elizabeth’s – Casa Familia 36 beds (18 single, 5 family rooms)

1604 Berry Ave.

Santa Fe, NM

The Life Link – Arroyo Chamiso 10 units 1701 Arroyo Chamiso Rd.

Santa Fe, NM

Youth Shelters & Family Services 12 beds 5686-A Agua Fria St.

Santa Fe, NM

Bridge Housing – Santa Fe Recovery Center 30 beds (6 houses) 2504 Camino Entrada

Santa Fe, NM

St. Elizabeth’s – Sonrisa 8 two-or-three-bedroom units

6321 Jaguar Dr.

Santa Fe, NM

Youth Shelters & Family Services Transitional Living Program (campus)

14 beds 4435 Airport Rd.

Santa Fe, NM

Life Link Rapid Rehousing (Scattered) 2325 Cerrillos Rd.

Santa Fe, NM (admin offi ce)

Star Program – Youth Shelters & Family Services 68 beds 5686 B Agua Fria St.

Santa Fe, NM (offi ce location)

Casa Milagro 12 beds 49 Camino Bajo, Santa Fe, NM

La Luz 32 beds 2325 Cerrillos Rd.

Santa Fe, NM

Life Link PSH – Scattered (Scattered) 2325 Cerrillos Rd.

Santa Fe, NM (admin offi ce)

Life Link PSH – TBRA (HIV/AIDS) (Scattered) 2325 Cerrillos Rd.

Santa Fe, NM (admin offi ce)

Santa Fe Suites 120 units 3007 S St Francis Dr.

Santa Fe, NM

St. Elizabeth’s – Casa Cerrillos 29 units 3811 1/2 Cerrillos Rd.

Santa Fe, NM

Village Sage & Stage Coach 15 units 5951 Larson Loop Santa Fe, NM 5

MAPPING OF INVENTORY

EMERGENCY

SHELTER

PERMANENT

SUPPORTIVE

HOUSING

TRANSITIONAL

HOUSING

RAPID

REHOUSING

HOMELESSNESS

1,551 households

IN SANTA FE, NM

Shelter or Transitional

Housing

(58%)

(17%)

Street Outreach

Permanent Housing

Programs

H ou se h ol d s Se rv ed were served by the Santa Fe homelessness response

The majority of households served in 2025 were served by either shelter or transitional housing programs, and smaller portions were served by permanent housing programs (either Rapid Rehousing or Permanent Supportive Housing), outreach, and/or supportive services.

89%

Adult-Only Households

Of all households served by homelessness or housing programs in Santa Fe in 2025:

11%

Headed by People Under

Age 25

52%

Living with a Disability

25%

Survivors of Domestic Violence system in 2025, as measured using data collected in the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS). Only programs participating in HMIS are reflected in this data. Additional programs may serve people experiencing homelessness in Santa Fe.

(16%)

(13%)

Supportive Services

Man Head of Household

Woman Head of Household

Gender Expansive Head of Household

Unknown Gender

56% 41%

2%

2%

W hite

Hisp anic or Latin e

In dig enous Black

Asia n

Pacifi c Isl ander

M id dle Easte rn or North

Afri can

Unknown Race

/E th nicity

63%

42%

12% 6% 1% 1% 6%<1%

NOTE: Some households identify with multiple categories; totals sum to greater than 100%.

NOTE: Households may be served across multiple program categories, totals sum to greater than 100%.

1,551 households were served by the Santa Fe homelessness response sysys stem in 2025, as measured using data collected in the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS). Only programs participating in HMIS are reflected in this data. Additional programs may serve people experiencing homelessness in Santa Fe

Shelter or Transitional

Housing

Street Outreach

Permanent Housing

Programs

H ou se h ol d s Se rv ed

The majaja oritytyt of households served in 2025 were served by either shelter or transitional housing programs, and smaller portions were served by permanent housing programs (either Rapid Rehousing or Permanent Supportive Housing), outreach, and/o/o/ r supportive services.

Supportive Services

NOTE: Householdsdsd mayaya be servevev d across multiple program categories,s,s totalslsl sum to greater than 100%.

programs may serve people experiencing homelessness in Santa Fe.

(58%)

(17%)

(16%)

(13%)

Adult Only Household y d y s

Of all households served by homelessness or housing programs in Santa Fe in 2025:

11%

Headed by People Und y d y er

A p A p ge 25

Living with a Disability

Survivors of Domestic Violence

89%

Adult-Only

Man Head of Household

Woman Head of Household

Gender Expansive Head of Household

U k G d

56% 41414 %

2%

2%

52%

11%

25% W hite

Hisp anic or Latin e

In dig enous Black

Asia n

Pacifi c Isl ander

M id dle Easte rn or North

Afri can

Unknown Race

/E th nicitytyt

42%

12% 6% 1% 1% 6%<1%

Unknown Gender 2% 63%

6Source: New Mexico Coalition to End Homelessness | Compiled by FOCUS Strategies

SANTA FE, NM

Shelter

Transitional Housing

Rapid Rehousing

Permanent Supportive Housing

249 32

HOMELESSNESS RESPONSE

SYSTEM CAPACITY

As of early 2026, the Santa Fe homelessness response system contains the capacity to serve 639 households in shelter, transitional housing, Rapid Rehousing, or Permanent Supportive Housing at any given time, per data collected in the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS). In addition to these programs, in 2025, the system served 245 households in street outreach programs and 196 people in supportive services programs. Only programs participating in HMIS are reflected in this data. Additional programs may serve people experiencing homelessness in Santa Fe.

The majority of system capacity is dedicated to adult-only households, who make up 89% of people served in the system. The largest portion of system capacity is within shelter and Permanent Supportive Housing programs. Transitional housing and Rapid Rehousing make up a smaller portion of system capacity, and a larger share of each is dedicated to families and children.

Shelter: Short-term immediate housing for individuals experiencing a crisis, providing the beginnings of stabilization, safety, basic needs, and connection to other pathways that preserve individual dignity.

Transitional Housing: Provides temporary housing and accompanying supportive services for up to 24 months to facilitate the successful progression into permanent housing.

Rapid Rehousing: Quickly moves households into housing in the rental market and supports them to stay in housing with short- to medium-term rental assistance and services.

Permanent Supportive Housing: Long-term subsidized housing with ongoing support services.

A national best practice for chronic homelessness.

System Capacity by Household Type

Adult-Only Households Family Households Child-Only Households

SANTA FE, NM

HOMELESSNESS RESPONSE

SYSTEM CAPACITY

As of early 2026, the Santa Fe homelessness response system contains the capacity to serve 639 households in shelter, transitional housing, Rapid Rehousing, or Permanent Supportive Housing at any given time, per data collected in the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS). In addition to these programs, in 2025, the system served 245 households in street outreach programs and 196 people in supportive services programs. Only programs participating in HMIS are reflected in this data. Additional programs may serve people experiencing homelessness in Santa Fe.

The majority of system capacity is dedicated to adult-only households, who make up 89% of people served in the system. The largest portion of system capacity is within shelter and Permanent Supportive Housing programs. Transitional housing and Rapid Rehousing make up a smaller portion of system capacity, and a larger share of each is dedicated to families and children.

Shelter: Short-term immediate housing for individuals experiencing a crisis, providing the beginnings of stabilization, safety, basic needs, and connection to other pathways that preserve individual dignity.

Transitional Housing: Provides temporary housing and accompanying supportive services for up to 24 months to facilitate the successful progression into permanent housing.

Rapid Rehousing: Quickly moves households into housing in the rental market and supports them to stay in housing with short- to medium-term rental assistance and services.

Permanent Supportive Housing: Long-term subsidized housing with ongoing support services.

A national best practice for chronic homelessness.

System Capacity by Household Type

Adult-Only Households Family Households Child-Only Households

Shelter

Transitional Housing

Rapid Rehousing

Permanent Supportive Housing

249 32

7Source: New Mexico Coalition to End Homelessness | Compiled by FOCUS Strategies

SANTA FE, NM

Some groups exited to housing outside of the system at significantly lower rates:

HOMELESSNESS RESPONSE

SYSTEM OUTCOMES

10% 15%

18%

In 2025, 780 households exited from shelter or housing programs in Santa Fe, as measured using data collected in the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS):

Shelter or Transitional Housing

Rapid Rehousing Permanent Supportive Housing

Homelessness, Institutions, Temporary Situations, or

Unknown

Housing Outside of the System (e.g., independently renting, owning, or living with family or friends)

722 Households Exited 28 Households Exited 30 Households exited & 146 Households Retained

86% exited to or retained housing

75% exited to housing80% exited to homelessness, institutions, temporary situations or unknown

~15% returned to homelessness in Santa Fe within two years after exiting to housing outside the system

(19% from shelter/transitional housing and 8% from housing programs)

System-wide Average Permanent Housing

Exit Rate

Households Headed by Men

Chronically Homeless

Households

Adult-only Households

13%

SANTATAT FE, NM

HOMELESSNESS RESPONSE

SYSYS SYSY TEM OUTCOMES

In 2025, 780 households exited from shelter or housing programs in Santa Fe, as measured using data collected in the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS):

Homelessness, Institutions, Temporary Situations, or

Unknown

Housing Outside of the System (e.g., independently renting, owning, or living with family or friends)

722 Households Exited 28 Households Exited 30 Households exited & 146 Households Retained

% exited or retained housing

75% exited to housing80% exited to homelessness institutions, temporary situations or unknown

~15% returned to homelessness in Santa Fe within two years aftftf er exiting to housing outside the system

(19% from shelter/t/t/ ransitional housing and 8% from housing programs)

Shelter or Transitional Housing

Rapid Rehousing Permanent Supportive Housing s, ons

86% to o h

System wide AvAvA erage Permanent Housing

Exit Rate

Households Headed by Men

Chronically Homeless

Households

Adult only Households

Some groups exited to housing outside of the system at significantly lower rates:

10% 15%

18%

System-wide AvAvA erage Households ChronicallyAdult-only

13%

Some groups exited to housing outside of the system at significantly lower rates:

Source: New Mexico Coalition to End Homelessness | Compiled by FOCUS Strategies

19.58% Rent/Mortgage Payment Assistance

2.81% Permanent Housing

9.6% Housing Mediation & Eviction Prevention

0.33% Environmental Exposure Assessment

0.17% Homeless Drop-in Services

0.11% Assisted Living

0.06% Home Loans & Financing

2025 CONNECT HOUSING & SHELTER DATA

CONNECT is a network of navigators at clinics, community organizations, and city and county programs. In 2025, (1,140) unique individuals were identifi ed for Housing and Shelter needs. This includes Housing Case Management (30.12%) and Emergency Housing (33.15%) categories.

Source: UNITE US Platform

1.1% Home Expense Assistance/Repairs

33.15% Emergency Housing

30.12% Housing Case Management

1.6% Housing Applications/Recertifi cation

0.72% Moving Assistance

0.66% Transitional Housing

1. Continuum of Care (CoC) A HUD-funded framework designed to support community-wide eff orts to prevent and end homelessness.

Through the CoC system, nonprofi t organizations, and service providers coordinate housing and supportive services to help individuals and families quickly exit homelessness and achieve long-term housing stability.

CoC funding can support variety of program models, from permanent housing to supportive programs.

2. Sheltered and Unsheltered Homelessness Unsheltered homelessness refers to individuals staying in places not intended for human habitation, including streets, parks, vehicles, encampments, abandoned buildings, or underpasses. Sheltered homelessness refers to individuals staying in emergency shelters, safe havens, or transitional housing programs.

3. Emergency Shelter Emergency shelters are facilities intended to provide temporary shelter for individuals and families experiencing homelessness. Shelters may operate year round or seasonally during extreme weather conditions or emergencies. There are many diff erent models for emergency shelter to cater to specifi c client needs and populations. They typically have stays under 90 days, and work to transition clients into more permanent housing options.

4. Congregate and Non-congregate Shelter A congregate shelter is a shelter setting where multiple individuals stay in shared sleeping or living spaces. Non-congregate shelter is a model of shelter that provides private rooms or dormitories for people or families experiencing homelessness.

Both models typically provide supportive services such as case management, meals, or behavioral health support and may operate under structured schedules or shared facility arrangements.

KEY TERMINOLOGY

5. Transitional Housing Transitional housing is a recognized HUD program model provides temporary housing combined with supportive services for individuals and families working toward permanent housing stability. Programs may last up to 24 months and often include case management, employment assistance, and housing navigation services.

6. Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) is a formal, HUD recognized model that combines long-term aff ordable housing assistance with supportive services for individuals experiencing homelessness who have disabling conditions. The model is intended to promote long-term housing stability and reduce returns to homelessness.

7. Low-Barrier and High-Barrier Shelter Emergency shelters generally fall along a spectrum from low-barrier to more structured, or higher-barrier, models, with each serving diff erent populations and goals. Low-barrier shelters minimize eligibility requirements and conditions of entry, prioritizing immediate access and harm reduction. These programs are designed to engage individuals who may not be able to meet more structured requirements and are often eff ective for people experiencing chronic homelessness, serious mental illness, or substance use disorders. Higher-barrier shelters typically include requirements related to sobriety, identifi cation, program participation, curfews, or other behavioral expectations, and may be well suited for individuals or families seeking a more structured environment or specifi c housing, employment, or recovery goals. Both models play important roles within a comprehensive homelessness response system. A strong system includes a range of shelter options that are responsive to diff erent needs, circumstances, and goals, off ering multiple pathways toward stability and housing.

8. Housing First Housing First is a guiding philosophy in homelessness response, not a single program model. It holds that people should be connected to housing as quickly as possible, whether unsheltered or in shelter, without preconditions such as sobriety, or the mandatory participation in supportive services as a condition of housing. Some applications focus on permanent housing, others extend the principle to transitional housing or shelter, but the underlying premise is the same: stability comes fi rst, not last.

This approach is backed by over two decades of research across housing systems. The core fi nding is consistent: it is very diffi cult for someone to address sobriety, mental health, or employment while in survival mode, managing the daily crisis of having nowhere safe to sleep. Once housing stability is achieved, people have the capacity to engage meaningfully with services, rather than spending all of it on day-to-day survival.

9. Area Median Income (AMI) Area Median Income (AMI) is the midpoint income level for a given geographic area, calculated annually by HUD and used to determine eligibility for aff ordable housing programs and federal housing assistance. AMI is adjusted by household size and varies by region. Housing programs and funding streams typically reference the following income tiers:

• Extremely Low Income (ELI): at or below 30% AMI — This population includes individuals and families in the deepest poverty, and in practice the majority of people experiencing homelessness fall within this tier.

Households at this income level face the most acute gap between what they earn and what housing costs, and are the primary target population for permanent supportive housing, emergency shelter, and other homelessness-specifi c interventions.

• Very Low Income: at or below 50% AMI

• Low Income: at or below 80% AMI

10. Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Substance Use Disorder is a clinical diagnosis characterized by the compulsive use of alcohol or drugs despite signifi cant negative consequences to an individual’s health, relationships, and functioning. SUD exists on a spectrum of severity — mild, moderate, and severe — and is recognized by the American Psychiatric Association as a chronic brain disorder, not a moral failing or lack of willpower. Eff ective homelessness response systems screen for SUD and connect individuals to treatment, but consistent with Housing First principles, do not require sobriety as a condition of receiving housing or shelter services.

11. Severe Mental Illness (SMI) Severe Mental Illness refers to a diagnosable mental health condition that signifi cantly interferes with a person’s ability to carry out major life activities.

Conditions commonly classifi ed as SMI include schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and major depressive disorder. SMI is disproportionately represented among individuals experiencing chronic homelessness, and is one of the primary disabling conditions that qualifi es a person for Permanent Supportive Housing. When SMI co-occurs with SUD — a pattern known as co-occurring disorders or dual diagnosis — individuals often face greater barriers to accessing and maintaining housing and require integrated treatment approaches that address both conditions simultaneously.

12. Hidden Homelessness Refers to individuals or families experiencing housing instability who are not refl ected in offi cial homelessness counts. This can include people temporarily staying with friends or relatives, couch surfi ng, or living in overcrowded or unstable housing arrangements.

KEY TERMINOLOGY