Albuquerque Moves to Close Alleyways to Deter Unhoused People

Cities around the country are enacting more restrictive regulations after the Supreme Court’s ruling in favor of local governments in Grants Pass v. Johnson.

1 minute read

July 18, 2024, 11:00 AM PDT

By Diana Ionescu @aworkoffiction


Aerial view of downtown Albuquerque, New Mexico at sunset.

PTZ Pictures / Adobe Stock

In the wake of a Supreme Court ruling that gave cities legal endorsement to criminalize homelessness, Albuquerque, New Mexico is barring people from sleeping in alleyways in the city’s International District.

As Marni Rose McFall reports in Newsweek, “The initiative, led by City Councilor Nichole Rogers, aims to reduce crime and improve safety in areas heavily affected by homelessness, drug use, and related issues.”

The city will close off three alleys that local first responders say are the locations of a high number of calls.

City Councilor Nichole Rogers, who spearheaded the initiative, acknowledges that other efforts are needed to reduce homelessness. “This is an all hands on deck crisis and we need to be thinking of it that way and we need to be thinking about it, how do we alleviate suffering?”

In Southern California, the city of San Marcos could also impose new restrictions on encampments, barring people from sleeping in public spaces even when shelter beds are not available.

Friday, July 12, 2024 in Newsweek

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Wastewater pouring out from a pipe.

Alabama: Trump Terminates Settlements for Black Communities Harmed By Raw Sewage

Trump deemed the landmark civil rights agreement “illegal DEI and environmental justice policy.”

April 13, 2025 - Inside Climate News

High-rise apartment buildings in Waikiki, Hawaii with steep green mountains in background.

Study: Maui’s Plan to Convert Vacation Rentals to Long-Term Housing Could Cause Nearly $1 Billion Economic Loss

The plan would reduce visitor accommodation by 25% resulting in 1,900 jobs lost.

April 6, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

April 10, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

A line of white wind turbines surrounded by wheat and soybean fields with a cloudy blue sky in the background.

Wind Energy on the Rise Despite Federal Policy Reversal

The Trump administration is revoking federal support for renewable energy, but demand for new projects continues unabated.

April 15 - Fast Company

Red and white Caltrain train.

Passengers Flock to Caltrain After Electrification

The new electric trains are running faster and more reliably, leading to strong ridership growth on the Bay Area rail system.

April 15 - Office of Governor Gavin Newsom

View up at brick Catholic church towers and modern high-rise buildings.

Texas Churches Rally Behind ‘Yes in God’s Back Yard’ Legislation

Religious leaders want the state to reduce zoning regulations to streamline leasing church-owned land to housing developers.

April 15 - NBC Dallas