ALBUQUERQUE'S HEADING HOME PROGRAM THAT PUTS A ROOF OVER THE HEADS OF ITS MOST VULNERABLE HOMELESS PEOPLE … COULD GO STATEWIDE. DEMOCRATIC STATE SENATOR GERALD ORTIZ Y PINO OF ALBUQUERQUE IS SPONSORING A BILL AT THE LEGISLATURE TO TAKE THE PROGRAM STATEWIDE. HE SITES THE PROGRAM'S SUCCESS AS THE REASON.
HEADING HOME CEO DENNIS PLUMMER AGREES. HE TELLS 770 KKOB IT ACTUALLY SAVES MONEY. HE SAYS HOUSING THE HOMELESS SAVES 31-POINT-6 PERCENT ON THE TAXPAYER DOLLAR. TO KEEP SOMEONE ON THE STREET RAISES BOTH EMERGENCY ROOM AND JAIL COSTS.
PLUMMER SAYS HEADING HOME HAS AN 81-PERCENT SUCCESS RATE AND HAS PUT A ROOF OVER THE HEADS OF ABOUT 430 PEOPLE. ORTIZ Y PINO SAYS HIS BILL IS GAINING BI-PARTISAN SUPPORT.
