The city of Albuquerque, New Mexico recently broke ground on a new tiny home neighborhood, or “micro-community,” in Bernalillo County.

Named Recovery Gateway, the 46-mini-home community is designed to provide shelter to those facing homelessness and experiencing substance use disorder.

“We know that we need more housing options in our city, especially for those in recovery, and the micro-community will better support folks on their journey to stable housing,” said Mayor Tim Keller at the groundbreaking ceremony last October. 

“Recovery Gateway will bring much-needed low-barrier beds and treatment services to Albuquerque.”

The micro-community consists of 42 single-occupancy homes and four double-occupancy homes for couples, for a total of 46 available units for 50 people. Residents will be welcome to stay up to 24 months, or until they are connected to longer-term recovery housing.

Sobriety in homeless shelters and transitional housing is a hot topic, as it is often a barrier to entry in much-need facilities. 

While some “low barrier” shelters exist — meaning they do not require background or credit checks, income verification, sobriety, or an ID to access services — they often struggle to maintain sustainable funding. 

Additionally, according to American Addiction Centers, it can often be more challenging for people who are homeless to stop using substances, because they “may not have easy access to treatment, often have smaller social support networks, may have decreased motivation to quit drugs or alcohol, and may have other, higher priorities, such as finding housing or food.”

In a report commissioned by Albuquerque’s Department of Health, Housing, and Homelessness, studies showed that the city had a shortage of low-barrier recovery housing.

With only 800 recovery beds available throughout the city, the data revealed a need to expand housing options for people living with substance use disorders.

“We know when people have 18 to 24 months of sobriety, they are more likely to stay in recovery,” said Health, Housing and Homelessness Director Gilbert Ramirez. 

“This new community will be the first step in achieving long-term sobriety and will offer a pathway to opportunity and a new life.”

Aside from the 46 tiny homes, the facility will include two on-site community rooms for things like behavioral health treatment, case management, and longer-term housing navigation. While essentials like bathrooms are not in each unit, they will be available as communal amenities for all residents.

Albuquerque officials also said they are working with a behavioral health contractor to help provide services like meal distribution, laundry, and transportation to medical appointments.

Workforce training and educational opportunities will also be offered to residents on-site, as well as security measures like regular welfare checks, and amenities like a dog park and community garden.

“We are now covering a huge gap area that we haven’t had covered before,” said Ramirez.  

The project is mostly funded with $5 million from an opioid settlement, as well as $800,000 from Bernalillo County, according to KRQE13 News.

“Transitional housing is vital for addressing homelessness and substance use and BernCo is proud to support shelter and recovery services at the Recovery Gateway,” Commissioner Barbara Baca, said in a statement.

While construction is still underway, officials say Recovery Gateway should be fully operational early this year.

“Recovery Gateway will create a space for long-term addiction treatment and is an important step in supporting our unhoused neighbors,” said District 2 City Councilor Joaquín Baca, in October of 2024. 

“This community will change countless lives by adding more recovery housing options for our city.”

‍

Header image courtesy of the City of Albuquerque