The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic is exposing what we have always known: our nation’s deep inequities and broken safety-net programs leave millions of people without help or relief. Today, we are seeing the painful reality for those who don’t have the luxuries of paid sick leave, unemployment benefits, or social safety net protections to help them weather this storm.
Find out more at https://missionassetfund.org/
Tents and sleeping bags not only make living on the streets more bearable this time of year, they can often mean the difference between life and death.
Homeless shelters in New Mexico are in need of both as the COVID-induced eviction moratorium nears an end and colder temperatures arrive.
Georgia Evans, development associate for the New Mexico Coalition to End Homelessness, said the number of unhoused has been harder to track due to the pandemic, especially because some shelters closed or had limited capacity.
“A lot of homelessness, especially in New Mexico, is not seen,” Evans explained. “It’s people sleeping in their cars or sleeping in different areas every night and not necessarily pitching a tent in a busy, more central area.”
Evans pointed out in Santa Fe, the shelter is seeking funds to purchase clothing and equipment for those experiencing homelessness, while other shelters are accepting warm clothing including coats, hats and gloves.
New Mexico, along with New Jersey and New York, are the only states with a pandemic-related statewide eviction moratorium still in effect, but Evans noted it is scheduled to end in early January.
“And so we’re anticipating that there might be a giant flood of people that do not have housing or will not have housing in the new year,” Evans projected.
To honor those who lost their lives while homeless, annual memorials are held across the U.S. on or near Dec. 21. In New Mexico, some cities are planning virtual memorials, while others will be in-person with social distancing. Evans added it is fitting to hold the memorial on the longest and one of the coldest days of the year.
“To recognize that these people are in our communities, and are important and in relation to the national memorial for homelessness,” Evans emphasized.
The National Homeless Persons Memorial Day has been held on the winter solstice for 30 years.
Updated December 15, 2021
This flyer is for printed distribution to agencies and clients, and lists resources of all kinds — community food support, shelter and utility assistance, options for transportation.
There are also medical contacts (including the VA, HMS, Family Support Services, and more) and resources listed for Counseling & Support (including sexual assault, mental health, suicide prevention and others).
There are websites listed that can offer more information on diverse subjects, including COVID-19 updates.
So please share these flyers with all who might make use of them!
Updated December 22, 2021
PNM is resuming disconnections as soon as August 16, for residential customers who are past due on their electric bill after the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission has ended the temporary emergency COVID moratorium.
Despite nonpayment, nearly 44,000 customers have been provided power for the last year and a half since the start of the pandemic, according to a news release. These customers are still responsible for paying for the electricity they used. PNM wants to help avoid shut-off situations, but customers must immediately take action by contacting PNM online at PNM. com/help or by calling 888-DIAL-PNM (888342-5766) from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday.
There are only three ways to avoid disconnection:
Disconnecting power is not something PNM wants to do, according to the release. In fact, PNM wants to help customers avoid it. Several thousand customers have recently set up a payment plan with PNM to catch up on their bill, helping them avoid disconnection, but it is critical that millions of dollars of financial assistance is not left on the table for the remaining New Mexicans who need help paying their utility bill.
For financial assistance with your past-due PNM bill, apply online at PNM.com/help or call PNM. PNM will review your qualifications with the following assistance programs to help pay down, or possibly pay off, your past-due PNM bill. In some cases, programs can be combined to maximize the amount of assistance you receive.
Source: https://silvercitydailypress-nm.newsmemory.com/?publink=02be8e570_1345ea4
Updated December 22, 2021
The pandemic and economic crisis have created financial hardships for many New Mexicans. Many families have had difficulty accessing the financial resources available to help meet basic needs. In response, we have created the Financial Resource Guide During COVID-19.
The guide is a comprehensive source of information about assistance—and New Mexicans’ rights to access it—available across the state now and in the future.
The guide includes information about programs funded through federal legislation like the American Recovery Plan Act, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, as well as long-standing state and local programs that can help families with food, housing, healthcare, child care, and more.
Access the resource guide here: http://nmpovertylaw.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/NMCLP-COVID-Guide.pdf
Seniors 60+ in need of financial assistance may apply for this support, and may qualify if they do not exceed the 200% income threshold. Call the NM Aging and Long-term Services Department at 1-800-432-2080 to check eligibility.
The COVID-19 Housing Cost Assistance Program provides emergency housing grants to income-eligible households and residents of tribal lands experiencing financial hardship due to the COVID-19 health crisis.
These grants are housing assistance payments made on behalf of income-eligible applicants and residents of tribal lands, up to $1,500 per month for a period of up to three (3) consecutive months, to maintain housing and/or to reduce housing cost delinquency due to the COVID-19 health crisis.
The NM Mortgage Finance Authority will pay your past-due housing payments directly to your landlord, mortgage or loan servicer, escrow company or other housing provider. The assistance does not have to be repaid.
Applications will be accepted beginning March 4, 2021. Click here to apply. To request that a paper application be mailed to you, call 505.308.4206 or 866.488.0498.
Updated December 23, 2021
S.P.I.N, Supporting People In Need, is a non-profit program in Silver City NM, that began in Feb. 2017. This program is working towards providing permanent supportive housing for the homeless who suffer from disabilities, a concept that has been shown to be successful in many other communities.
Supportive Housing is an evidence-based practice which uses Housing First, Trauma informed design and services, and Harm Reduction models.
In addition to the creation of permanent supportive housing units, we also provide transitional housing to qualified clients. housing people with housing needs is the essence of why we were created.
Supportive care involves social workers who help clients access the resources they are already eligible for but have barriers that prevent access. Barriers often include: lack of an address or transportation, mental illness, addiction, other heath impairments, cognitive impairment, and poverty.
