Albuquerque Neighbors Push for Changes Around Gateway Center

Residents in southeast Albuquerque call for action to address crime and quality-of-life issues near homeless services hub.

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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Tensions are running high in southeast Albuquerque, where neighbors say crime and quality-of-life issues have worsened around the Gateway Center, a facility that provides shelter and services for people facing homelessness, mental health challenges, and addiction. Residents are pushing for the city to take stronger action, including expanding the 'safety zone' around the center and providing more support for local businesses.

Why it matters

The Gateway Center plays an important role in serving vulnerable populations, but its presence has also led to increased concerns from the surrounding community about public safety and the impact on local businesses. This highlights the challenge of balancing the need for critical social services with the concerns of the broader neighborhood.

The details

Neighbors say they've seen a recent uptick in issues like encampments, litter, drug use, and burglaries around the Gateway Center. They want the city to take stronger action, such as expanding the 'safety zone' around the center beyond the current half-mile radius. City Councilor Nichole Rogers is now working to 'refresh' the existing 'Good Neighbor Agreement' and create a new 'Community Benefits Agreement' that gives more input to the community.

  • The Gateway Center opened in 2022.
  • A 'Good Neighbor Agreement' was finalized in 2022, but only two of the five neighborhood associations asked to sign it did so.
  • Councilor Rogers is gathering community input over the next several weeks to draft a new 'Community Benefits Agreement' by April 2026.

The players

Janet Simon

President of the Parkland Hills Neighborhood Association, who has lived in the area for 15 years and has seen a decline in the neighborhood.

Nichole Rogers

Albuquerque City Councilor who is working to 'refresh' the existing 'Good Neighbor Agreement' and create a new 'Community Benefits Agreement' with more community input.

Albuquerque Health, Housing and Homelessness Department

The city department that oversees the Gateway Center, which says the facility is part of an evidence-based approach to addressing homelessness and that it remains committed to working with the community.

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What they’re saying

“We are very much wanting things to improve because things have gotten pretty bad. I have to say that.”

— Janet Simon, President, Parkland Hills Neighborhood Association (KRQE)

“People historically, especially in the first round of the Good Neighbor Agreement, did not feel listened to, did not feel supported in what they were asking for in their community.”

— Nichole Rogers, Albuquerque City Councilor (KRQE)

“This is really hard for our community. This is hard, and I'm even asking help from my fellow councilors, like 'We do carry the brunt of homelessness for the entire city, and we can't continue to carry this by ourselves.'”

— Nichole Rogers, Albuquerque City Councilor (KRQE)

What’s next

Councilor Rogers is gathering community input over the next several weeks to draft a new 'Community Benefits Agreement' by April 2026, which will aim to give more of a voice to the surrounding neighborhoods in shaping the terms of the agreement with the Gateway Center.

The takeaway

This situation highlights the ongoing challenge of balancing the need for critical social services with the concerns of the broader community. While the Gateway Center plays an important role, the surrounding neighborhoods have legitimate concerns about public safety and quality of life that the city must work to address through more collaborative and responsive policymaking.