NMSU professor looks to improve homeless camp in Dona Ana County

At a tent city in Las Cruces, bathrooms and showers for the homeless are scarce.

Now, one NMSU professor is trying to change that.

Matt Holt is calling this plan “Project: Dignity.”

He tells ABC-7 his father, who was a veteran, passed away this year and had a huge heart for the homeless population. He says his family wanted to do something to commemorate him.

Currently at Camp Hope, there are four porta pottiesand one sink. The homeless also have limited access to showers inside Mesilla Valley Community of Hope.

Holt says they’re planning to build bathroom stalls and showers on the current camp site. The $100,000 facility will be made up solely by donations.

Holt tells ABC-7 the entire Las Cruces community has starteddonating resources towards the project. They just need about $65,000 more. Holt’s family is planning to donate $30,000.

He said after approaching Camp Hope wanting to help the homeless, they suggested the indoor restrooms. He said that’s when he realized just how vital indoor plumbing for the residents was.

“A lot of those veterans are in tents and they sign up for a shower a day,” Holt said. “Showers are available Monday, Wednesday and Friday and sometimes you can’t get in on your day. The only bathrooms they have are porta potties. I think we can give them a sense of dignity if we can provide them bathrooms for them hence, Project: Dignity.”

Holt said they’re expecting the green light from the city soon and he hopes to start building by the end of the year.

To make a donation to the Mesilla Valley Community of Hope, you can go to the building at 999 Amador in Las Cruces or you can make a donation online at http://bit.ly/1TVcSSB