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Committee advances appropriations bill for veterans transitional housing after broad support
Summary
Senate Bill 273, an appropriations measure to expand transitional housing and wraparound services for unhoused veterans, received a do-pass recommendation from the Senate Indian Affairs Committee after testimony from providers and advocates.
The Senate Indian Affairs Committee voted 5-0 to give Senate Bill 273 a do-pass recommendation after testimony from veterans service providers, advocates and state officials who urged funding for transitional housing and wraparound services for unhoused veterans.
Sponsors described the bill as an appropriation to the Department of Veterans Services to support transitional housing that pairs shelter with medical, behavioral health and employment services. Witnesses said statewide expansion is needed so veterans outside Albuquerque can access services locally.
"We just recently opened a 42 bed facility, brand new state of the art facility by the airport in Albuquerque," Brock Wolf, CEO of the Veterans Integration Centers, told the committee. He said his organization has served more than 5,000 veterans and family members since 2005 and urged state funding to expand similar facilities and outreach statewide.
James Abara, a Native American veteran who testified in support, cited national suicide and veteran-homelessness concerns and said a transitional program in New Mexico would provide needed stability for veterans. Maria Griego of the New Mexico Center on Law and Poverty told the committee the appropriation requested in the bill represents a "modest yet impactful investment," saying veterans make up about 9% of the state population and that roughly 3,500 veterans in the state are experiencing homelessness or near homelessness, according to the testimony she presented.
Deputy Cabinet Secretary Eric James of the Department of Veterans Services also testified in support. Walter Borton of the Veterans and Military Families Caucus and disability advocate Nat Dean offered additional testimony backing the measure. Testimony described the federal Grant Per Diem program through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs as covering a limited baseline and said state funding could enable expanded services such as alternative therapies and locally tailored outreach to tribal communities.
A motion for a do-pass recommendation was made by Senator Soles and seconded by Senator Sanchez. On the roll call Senators Maestas, Sanchez, Sherritt, Scholes and Pinto recorded yes votes; the chair announced the bill received a do-pass recommendation from the committee.
The hearing did not specify an appropriation amount in the committee transcript. Witnesses and sponsors described program elements that funding would support — transitional shelter beds, case management, behavioral health and employment assistance — but did not present a detailed statewide funding breakdown during the session.
The committee recessed after completing its business and indicated it would reconvene before the next floor session.
