Las Cruces first city in New Mexico to functionally end veteran homelessness

Las Cruces was formally recognized as the first city in New Mexico to functionally end veteran homelessness Monday.

The director of the nonprofit Mesilla Valley Community of Hope said functionally ending veteran homelessness means the city can house any homeless veteran within 30 days and they have a sustainable plan to keep doing that.

“Me myself you know, I was homeless for four years and now i’ve been housed for five, so I’m a success story,” army veteran Earnest Ramey said.

Mayor Ken Miyagishima told the good news to those who gathered at Monday’s news conference. Many celebrated, knowing that with the help of the city, those who served our country are off the street.

“We went with a game plan,” Director of Mesilla Valley Community of Hope Nicole Martinez said. “We said here’s what were currently doing, here’s what we need to be doing to reach zero and here’s how much is going to cost.”

“The more information gets out the more relaxed they are and realize they really do want to help us,” Lawrence Orvis, chairman of the Veterans Advisory Board in Las Cruces, said.

Martinez says they received $49,000 from the city to go toward veterans getting into their own apartments and putting them back on their feet. But advocates agree, there is still more work to be done.