A long-standing Albuquerque program devoted to helping homeless people transition into healthier lives and situations is planning to build a campus expansion.
Saranam LLC has offices and facilities at 1028 Eubank NE but wants to build an expansive campus on the west side of the city that will see the construction of 15 two-bedroom homes, and 10 four-bedroom homes.
The two-bedroom homes will measure around 860 square feet, with the four-bedroom homes just under 1,300 square feet. According to the project’s site plans, the homes will be built in small clusters in various sections of the campus.
As planned, the 3.5-acre campus will also include a family center, playgrounds, a community garden, and up to 13,000 square feet of open space.
To that end, Saranam has received a substantial $1 million gift from ADC Limited, an Albuquerque-based security service, for the project.
Saranam, which means “refuge” in Sanskrit, was launched in 2004 and to date has served around 150 families to not only get people out of homelessness, but to provide educational and intensive case management services.
Saranam’s central purpose is to provide housing for those who don’t have it, with the idea that once that basic need is satisfied, most people can focus on such things as their educational and professional goals.
If additional funding can be secured, the campus will be built next to the Mesa View United Methodist Church, west of the intersection of Montano Road NW and Coors Boulevard NW.
By Garry Boulard
