The Albuquerque Human Rescue Pilot Program proposal is created to explain the plan to donors, benefactors, and local government officials. It is designed to be shared with the Albuquerque City Council, Bernalillo County Commissioners, and private philanthropic partners. It presents a clear, data-driven case for supporting a rural-transition pilot program.
The Albuquerque Rural Transition Pilot
Solving Urban Displacement with Land-Based Dignity
The Challenge: Albuquerque spends over $35,000 annually per chronically unhoused individual on emergency services, jails, and temporary shelters. These “band-aid” solutions offer no long-term path to independence.
The Solution: A 10-unit “Micro-Homestead” pilot on the outskirts of Bernalillo County. We provide the 5 Pillars of Stability for a one-time cost of $14,700 per person.
Why It Works (The Fiscal Case)
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60% Cost Reduction: Our first-year cost is roughly $19,700 (including all infrastructure), compared to the $35,578 city average for crisis management.
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Long-Term Sustainability: By Year 2, the per-capita cost drops to under $4,000, saving the taxpayer over $30,000 annually per participant.
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Infrastructure Independence: Our units are off-grid (Solar/Composting), requiring zero city utility extensions.
The 5 Pillars of the Albuquerque Kit
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Shelter: Weather-tight 120 sq. ft. tiny cabin shells suited for the High Desert.
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Sanitation: High-efficiency composting toilets (protecting our local groundwater).
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Hygiene: Solar-heated outdoor gravity showers.
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Land: 0.25-acre plots for “Therapeutic Stewardship” and gardening.
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Nutrition: A 6-month grocery stipend for local staples.
Impact Beyond the Dollar
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Reduced ER/Police Load: Stabilized housing in a low-stress environment reduces behavioral health crises by an estimated 57%.
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Rural Revitalization: Participants contribute to the local rural economy through labor and local purchasing.
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Dignity & Agency: Ownership of space fosters a “stewardship” mindset, moving individuals from “service recipients” to “land caretakers.”
“The goal isn’t just to put a roof over someone’s head; it’s to give them a foundation to stand on.”
Our “Ask” for the Albuquerque Pilot
We are seeking $150,000 in seed funding or a Land-Lease Agreement for 10–15 acres of underutilized county land to launch our first 10-unit community.
