The City of Albuquerque Ends Partnership with Non-Profit Organization After Misuse of Funds

The City of Albuquerque has discovered that a non-profit organization dedicated to housing, with which it had an agreement, misused city funds, putting some tenants at risk of eviction and even foreclosure.

As a result of this discovery, the city has decided to cut ties with the organization. Regarding this, Gilbert Ramirez, Director of Albuquerque’s Health, Housing, and Homelessness Department, said: “They went beyond the terms of the agreement, and I believe the funds were used for staff salaries or other administrative expenses.”

The conflict stems from more than $200,000 in city funds, which were allocated to help residents with rent payments through the Housing Voucher program and assigned to the Supportive Housing Coalition of New Mexico (SHCNM). However, city officials claim that SHCNM diverted the money for other purposes, for which Mr. Ramirez also stated: “We have informed the organization that we will not renew their contract.”

The mismanagement by this non-profit entity caused delays in rent payments for more than 100 tenants and almost led to 40 evictions, prompting a review of the contract where these inconsistencies were discovered.

To prevent further problems for the residents benefiting from this program, the city intervened and paid landlords directly to ensure tenants could remain in their homes.

Ramirez concluded by saying: “We worked closely with the group to identify all rental contracts and tenant payments. Additionally, we contacted landlords to resolve the situation. Now, the non-profit organization must repay the misused funds. So far, the process has gone smoothly.”

At this time, city officials are exploring partnerships with other organizations to take over the contract.

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By Elías DaSilva | 9 de Enero de 2025