Safe open spaces are a controversial topic among city officials, but one organization is testing how it works. The organization “Heading Home” provides assistance to those in need throughout Albuquerque and is currently expanding its own safe open space. Home David Cisneros said. “A lot of the time they’re in dangerous places,” he says, and safe open spaces like this are more important than people realize. This space is located outside the Westside Emergency Housing Shelter. “They can come in and park comfortably and have access to the shelter’s facilities,” Cisneros said. The Heading Home holds 500 people and has up to 40 parking spaces. But a social contract with the city of Albuquerque only allows for 20 spaces. Westside emergency housing centers serve up to 30 people. Sicernos says this is the perfect help his center. However, it is just off Interstate 40 and not easily accessible for those who need it. Out of town he’s 20 miles away,” says Katie Simon, her PR specialist for Family & Community Services. Simon said KOAT people living out of their cars were a big problem for Albuquerque. Compared to other safe open spaces, there is only space here for vehicles. He also said the feeling of shelter may not be as comfortable as some believe. “They may not know what to expect,” Cisneros said. “They may be hesitant to enter shelters because they may not know what the environment will be like. Sisneros said the biggest difference from safe open spaces is that people have the resources to get back on their feet faster. Applying for housing, getting access to showers and food, and getting a steady job are some of the resources the center has focused on for someone from the beginning. I just want people not to feel like they have to go out and park.” To learn more about the Safe Open Spaces program, Sisneros said, visit his website at Heading Home.
Safe open spaces are a controversial topic among city officials, but one organization is testing how it works.
The organization “Heading Home” provides assistance to those in need throughout Albuquerque and is currently expanding its own safe open space.
“There are a lot of people in our community who live out of their cars,” said David Sisneros, Chief Operating Officer of Heading Home. “Often they are in dangerous places.”
He says safe open spaces like this are more important than people realize. This space is located outside the Westside Emergency Housing Shelter.
“They can come in and park comfortably and have access to the shelter’s facilities,” Cisneros said.
Heading Home can accommodate 500 people and has up to 40 parking spaces. However, a social contract with the City of Albuquerque only allows for 20 spaces and a maximum of 30 people to be served at the Westside Emergency Housing Center.
Sisernos says it’s the perfect help center. However, it’s right off Interstate 40 and not easily accessible for those who need it.
“It’s the largest emergency shelter space in the city, 20 miles out of town,” said Katie Simon, PR specialist for Family & Community Services.
Simon said KOAT people living out of their cars are a big problem for Albuquerque.
Cisneros said the reason for this was “because the facility was available.”
Compared to other safe open spaces, there is only space here for vehicles.
He also said that the feeling of shelter may not be as comfortable as some believe.
“They may not know what to expect,” Cisneros said. “They may be hesitant to enter shelters because they may not know what the environment will be like.”
“We’re targeting invisible people who are already in the car,” Simon said.
According to Sisneros, the biggest difference to safe open spaces is that people have the resources to get back on their feet faster. Applying for housing, access to showers and meals, and obtaining a stable job are some of the resources the center has focused on for anyone from the beginning.
“I just want people not to feel like they have to go out and park in an unsafe area,” Cisneros said.
To learn more about the Safe Open Spaces program, visit Heading Home’s website, says Sisneros.
