Find alternatives to calling the Albuquerque Police Department.
Typically, people call the police because they are experiencing or perceive an emergency and need immediate assistance. In order to provide the most effective alternatives to calling the police or 911, unless otherwise indicated, the resources included here are limited to those that offer immediate assistance through emergency or crisis services.
These resources may be obligated to call police in the case of an immediate risk of harm to the caller or another, child abuse, or abuse of a vulnerable adult. Where we know or suspect that a resource may work in cooperation with law enforcement or involve them beyond what is required by law, we acknowledge that in the listing.
These resources are not intended to cover all situations, only to provide the services described. If you are in danger of immediate harm and feel safe doing so, call 911.
Housing
- ABQ Homeless Assistance Helpline
- Connects individuals and families with local resources that can provide shelter assistance, behavioral healthcare, physical healthcare, food, rent and utility assistance, and child care supplies. Does not provide rental assistance or hotel vouchers.
- 7 a.m. – 7 p.m.
- (505) 768-4357 (HELP)
- https://www.cabq.gov/family/services/homeless-services/homelessness-assistance-line
- Albuquerque Healthcare for the Homeless
- Resource Center serves as a no-threshold point of entry where people who are homeless can meet their basic and immediate needs. The drop-in center offers coffee, food, referrals, and other forms of individual, group, and psychosocial support.
- 7:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., M, T, Th, F; 7:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. W
- 1217 1st St NW, Albuquerque, NM 87102
- (505) 766-5197, press 2
- https://abqhch.org/
- Amistad Crisis Shelter
- Provides free short-term (14-30 days) residential services, crisis intervention, assessment, counseling/therapy, life and social skills training, case management, educational/vocational assistance, job training skills, and referral assistance to children ages 12-17. Parental consent to services required.
- 505-877-0371 (24/7)
- https://www.ydinm.org/program/amistad-crisis-shelter/
- Negative COVID test required before being admitted to shelter.
- Barrett Foundation
- Provides emergency shelter, three meals a day, and supportive services for women and children experiencing homelessness. Extended stay up to four months possible. Call daily for openings.
- 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. daily
- (505) 243-4887
- https://www.barrettfoundation.org/
- Westside Emergency Housing Center
- Provides a safe and welcoming environment 24/7 to men, women, and families experiencing homelessness. An outreach team provides help with services such as Medicaid and SNAP, employment help, such as getting an ID, clothes for an interview or work, etc. Also has a nurse on-site a few hours a day and ability to schedule medical appointments with doctors that come to the facility from University of New Mexico.
- Men: (505) 595-6402
- Women and families: (505) 595-6547
- Information and message line: (505) 839-9193 (24/7)
- https://headinghome.org/programs-overview/westside-emergency-housing-center/
- 14-day quarantine required before admittance for people coming from outside Albuquerque
LGBTQ+
- Casa Q
- Provides safe home-like environment for LGBTQ+ youth and allies between 14-17 who are at risk of or experiencing homelessness through housing, services, and advocacy. Also work with young adults aging out (18+) to maintain emotional, physical, and sometimes financial support. Will refer youth to outside shelter if cannot immediately assist.
- (505) 872-2099 (24/7)
- https://www.casaq.org/
- Transgender Resource Center
- Provides advocacy, education, and direct services in support of transgender, gender nonconforming, nonbinary, and gender variant people and their families. Drop-In Center provides snacks, a computer lab, free and confidential HIV testing, syringe exchange, support groups, an open donation closet, and informal case management.
- 1 p.m. – 5 p.m., Mon., Wed., Fri.
- 5600 Domingo Rd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87108
- (505) 200-9086
- https://tgrcnm.org/drop-in-center
Mental Health
- Agora Crisis Center
- Provides 24/7 crisis intervention chat as well as a free, confidential crisis phone help-line that is staffed by volunteers. Due to COVID, phone line operating from approximately 6 a.m. to midnight daily.
- (505) 277-3013 or (866) 435-7166
- http://www.agoracares.org/
- Albuquerque Healthcare for the Homeless
- Provides a variety of services to persons experiencing behavioral health issues including individual therapy, group therapy, behavioral health assessment and crisis intervention. Services are provide by licensed behavioral health professionals (social workers and counselors) at the AHCH campus and at multiple outreach sites that also serve people experiencing homelessness. Walk-in services available including crisis intervention.
- 7:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., M, T, Th, F; 7:30 a.m. – 12 p.m. W
- 1217 1st St NW, Albuquerque, NM 87102
- (505) 242-4644 (Medical and behavioral health); after hours press 1 to connect with 24 hour medical advice line, 2 for 24-hour behavioral health crisis number – links to UNM Clinic.
- https://abqhch.org/
Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault
- Haven House
- Provides free domestic violence services including 24/7 emergency shelter and case management, legal advocacy, support groups, counseling, and education and training to victims of domestic violence and their children in Sandoval County, NM.
- 1 (800) 526-7157 (24/7)
- https://www.havenhouseinc.org/
- S.A.F.E. House
- Provides 24-hour, free shelter, case management, therapy, enrichment classes, and safety planning for victims of intimate partner domestic violence.
- 1 (800) 773-3645 (24/7)
- https://www.safehousenm.org/
Youth
Please note, people answering these calls may be mandatory reporters, and required to make a report to CPS or law enforcement in certain situations. Learn about local mandatory reporter laws here.
- Amistad Crisis Shelter
- Provides free short-term (14-30 days) residential services, crisis intervention, assessment, counseling/therapy, life and social skills training, case management, educational/vocational assistance, job training skills, and referral assistance to children ages 12-17. Parental consent to services required.
- 505-877-0371 (24/7)
- https://www.ydinm.org/program/amistad-crisis-shelter/
- Negative COVID test required before being admitted to shelter.
- Casa Hermosa
- Provides a 4-month transitional living program including crisis intervention, assessment, counseling/therapy, case management, educational/vocational assistance, job training skills, and referral assistance for youth aged 16-21 that are homeless or aging out of state custody. Youth must be homeless. Referral required by self-referral by phone is sufficient.
- (505) 212-7470
- https://www.ydinm.org/program/casa-hermosa/
- Casa Q
- Provides safe home-like environment for LGBTQ+ youth and allies between 14-17 who are at risk of or experiencing homelessness through housing, services, and advocacy. Also work with young adults aging out (18+) to maintain emotional, physical, and sometimes financial support. Will refer youth to outside shelter if cannot immediately assist.
- (505) 872-2099 (24/7)
- https://www.casaq.org/
- New Day Youth and Family Services
- Provides shelter for youth ages 11-17. Also provides therapy for youth and families, crisis intervention for established patients, a life skills academy, and transitional housing for youth.
- (505) 938-1060 (24/7)
- https://www.ndnm.org/
Elders
Coming soon.
Crime
Coming soon.
Substances
- Albuquerque Healthcare for the Homeless
- Harm Reduction Outreach Program provides a variety of services to persons experiencing homelessness, substance use disorders and individuals seeking general services including referral to medical, housing, food and clothing. Services are provide by certified Harm Reduction Specialists at the AHCH campus and at multiple outreach sites that also provide services and care to people who are experiencing homelessness. Syringe exchange and Naloxone training and distribution are available at all on all outreaches.
- Outreach around the city throughout the week; services can be accessed on the campus at 1217 1st St. NW on Thursdays and Fridays from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m., and at 60th and Central on Tuesdays from 12 p.m. – 3 p.m.
- (505) 264-2929 or (505) 414-0653 (Messages will be returned)
- https://abqhch.org/
Please consider using these alternatives to calling the Albuquerque Police Department or 911 when faced with a situation that calls for de-escalation and/or intervention.
We have tried to indicate where police or law enforcement may work with the alternative resources listed; please let us know if you have any concerns about these resources.
Reimagine public safety. Don’t call the police.