Guest Op-Ed: Alamogordo LULAC Council 8105 Seeks a Shelter and Housing for the Homeless

LULAC Council 8105 members attended 100% Summit and homeless is still an issue and no solutions. City Divided: $300M in Projects and No Place for the Homeless

In Alamogordo, over $300 million is being funneled into infrastructure projects that build the city’s physical landscape—but they leave one critical element untouched: the homeless human community. While these projects bolster water infrastructure and sewer systems, and even include nine projects dedicated to the zoo, they do little to serve the homeless humans who are struggling to survive on the margins. This is not just an Alamogordo problem—it is a county-wide issue that affects every human being in Otero County.

Some argue that a dedicated homeless shelter isn’t needed because the temporary shelter at Mountain View Church—one that opens for one to three nights when deemed necessary—serves only about 20 people. But if you can build a wolf cage for a couple of wolves, why can’t you build a proper shelter for 20 or more humans? The low turnout at the church shelter doesn’t prove that no additional shelter is needed—it highlights a broader shortfall in meeting the human need for safe, dedicated housing.

Alamogordo is a community deeply influenced by Christian and Religious Values—values that teach the extension of compassion, generosity, and love to every person, especially those most in need. Yet, the current fiscal plan overlooks the critical need for a proper homeless shelter. Instead of investing in a facility that could save lives, the city seems content to direct funds toward projects that, while enhancing community recreation and culture, do little to address the human crisis.

This concern is all the more urgent when considering that several days and nights in January were freezing or even subfreezing. In such harsh conditions, every human being deserves the warmth and security of a proper shelter. For homeless humans, the bitter cold is not merely an inconvenience—it is a direct threat to health and life. Exposure to such temperatures can be fatal.

There is a glaring disparity in the allocation of resources. Alamogordo’s investments in water systems, sewer lines, and public utilities are essential for maintaining a functional city. Yet, the inclusion of nine zoo-related projects in this $300 million spending spree highlights a priority that, while enriching the cultural landscape, does little to meet the immediate human needs of the most vulnerable. Every human being, especially homeless humans, deserves the security of a warm, safe place to call home—a basic human right that remains unmet in the community and throughout Otero County.

This plea is deeply human and rooted in Christian and Religious Values: a call for a more compassionate, human-centered approach to the county’s budget. Leaders must see the human faces behind the statistics and recognize that investing in human infrastructure—shelters, services, and support systems—is just as important as building physical infrastructure.

This issue transcends Alamogordo and reaches every corner of Otero County. As humans and as members of a community guided by Christian and Religious Values, everyone must take responsibility for the well-being of fellow human beings, especially homeless humans. The collective future of the county depends not only on concrete and steel but on the compassion and solidarity that bind society together.

Now is the time to act with a human heart. Let us join together to demand that city and county leaders allocate funds for a homeless shelter that addresses the real, human needs of the most vulnerable homeless humans. By investing in human infrastructure, we can build a future where every human being is given the chance to thrive—where every human life is valued, and no one is left behind, whether in Alamogordo or anywhere else in Otero County.

It is only by embracing human responsibilities, guided by Christian and Religious Values, that Alamogordo and all of Otero County can truly prosper. Let this be a call to every human across the county: speak up, get involved, and insist that the budget reflects the human commitment owed to one another—prioritizing life-saving shelter for homeless humans over projects that do little to address the real needs of our community.

2025 Board

OTERO COUNTY LULAC COUNCIL #8105

oterocountylulac@gmail.com

Note: this is a guest commentary crafted by LULAC Council 8105, Joanne Vullo, President