New National Center for Warrior Independence: Renewing Hope for Veterans in Southern New Mexico

Homelessness should never be part of a veteran’s history—especially in a nation that owes them the stability, dignity, and care for their dedication and sacrifices during wartime. Tragically, this unsettling reality persists across Southern New Mexico and the nation. Rising housing costs as well as inadequate healthcare access have left countless former service members struggling financially, ultimately pushing them to a point where they can no longer secure even the most basic shelter. Though the federal government has effectively reduced veteran homelessness by more than half since 2010, nearly 33,000 individuals are still caught in the issue of housing insecurity, including those in Southern New Mexico. Amid this, an executive order came into effect, mandating the establishment of a National Center for Warrior Independence. By addressing both housing and healthcare gaps, such an initiative can ensure every veteran gets the long-term support and lifeline they have long been denied.

Southern New Mexico Veterans Confronting Housing Insecurity

For years, programs tackling veteran homelessness in New Mexico have continued through collaborations among federal agencies, local service providers, and advocacy groups. Yet despite these efforts, the crisis remains visible in many communities, specifically in the lower region. In fact, troubling statistics revealed that as of 2023, almost 300 veterans statewide remain homeless - a significant number of whom were in Southern New Mexico, where over 33,100 former service members reside. Factors such as limited affordable housing—especially for low-income families—have made it even harder for those transitioning out of service to rebuild their lives.

At the same time, veterans also face severe health risks stemming from the military’s decades of reliance on hazardous materials, particularly asbestos. Prized for its unique strength and low cost, this natural mineral became vital in the construction and maintenance of numerous military facilities statewide for most of the 20th century, including the Holloman Air Force Base in Alamogordo. Asbestos’s properties have also led the Navy to mandate it in ships built before the mid-1970s. However, this extensive utilization has exposed thousands of service members to toxic particles that, once inhaled, can embed in the lungs and eventually cause life- threatening diseases.

Alarmingly, the repercussions of this issue have been evident in New Mexico, which tallied 1,447 asbestos-related deaths from 1999 to 2017. Of these, at least 1,096 fatalities were attributed to lung cancer, while 274 were due to mesothelioma and 86 were asbestosis cases. Among the most seriously impacted were Dona Aña County, with 121 casualties during the same period, and Otero County, which struck 42 individuals. These overlapping challenges—homelessness, financial burden, and long-term health implications—underscore the immediate need for a coordinated support system for veterans who are more vulnerable in this crisis.

A National Commitment Toward Lasting Stability

The federal directive to create the National Center for Warrior Independence marks an important milestone in addressing the hardships that have long affected unhoused and at-risk veterans. The program is specifically designed to construct 6,000 housing units in California, as well as bolster healthcare and reintegration services for those struggling to regain stability after their military service. Although implementation details are still forthcoming, such an initiative signals a broader commitment to make sure that veterans—especially those in rural and underserved areas—receive the sustained care and assistance they need. Veterans in Southern New Mexico may also contact the country’s Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to learn more about eligibility and how to access available support once the center begins operations.

Yet no matter how promising this new initiative sounds, its effectiveness will still be defined by its meaningful outcomes, especially for communities like Alamogordo and those in Southern New Mexico. The groundwork has already been reinforced by implemented federal reforms such as the Honoring Our PACT Act of 2022, which significantly broadened healthcare as well as compensation coverage for toxic-exposed service members. Under this effort, nearly three million veterans nationwide have already filed their claims, including over 20,600 from New Mexico. To date, almost two million applications have been approved, and more than $6.8 billion in compensation has been granted to victims in 2024.

These developments demonstrate that national progress is possible when federal programs are paired with accountability and resources. With careful planning and adequate resource allocation combined with strong interagency coordination and sustained engagement with local organizations that directly serve veterans, the new National Center for Warrior Independence could help turn the envisioned progress into tangible results and lasting security. For the thousands of veterans in Southern New Mexico who once served under the nation’s flag, such a transformation would mean finally receiving what they have always deserved—a stable home, reliable care, and the dignity of a future they can depend on.

About the Author

Cristina Johnson is a Navy veteran advocate for Asbestos Ships Organization, a nonprofit whose primary mission is to raise awareness and educate veterans about the dangers of asbestos exposure on Navy ships and assist them in navigating the VA claims process. For more information, please visit our page.

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