New Fund Aims to Reduce Homelessness in Española Valley

The Interfaith Coalition on Homelessness on December 12 unveiled the Española Valley Homelessness Fund, a tax deductible account established by the Unitarian Church of Los Alamos to support efforts to reduce homelessness across the Española Valley. The fund states its purpose as to "reduce homelessness in the Española Valley, and to address in impactful ways the many factors that contribute to that problem."

The coalition is an all volunteer organization with participants from 14 local congregations. Leaders said the fund will back the group as it pursues five stated goals that include reducing homelessness and its underlying causes, working with existing frontline organizations in the Valley, committing to continuous learning about complex issues, strengthening interfaith work around shared spiritual values, and building bridges between Los Alamos County and the Española Valley that may yield unforeseen long term benefits.

ICOH has already partnered with several frontline agencies. Over the past 17 months the coalition carried out 10 supporting projects that ranged from supplying the Española Pathways Shelter to providing cellphones for patients in treatment for addictions. The group also delivered clothes and food to the McCurdy Family Resource Center and helped find financial support for Inside Out Recovery Center. ICOH reported it has been deploying community donations and volunteer hours directly to these causes.

For Los Alamos County residents the announcement highlights both immediate and systemic public health implications. Access to phones supports continuity of care and treatment for substance use disorders, shelter supplies reduce exposure to cold and communicable disease, and food and clothing stabilize families while they pursue services. The fund seeks to address structural drivers of homelessness rather than only short term relief, which aligns with broader public health strategies that link housing stability to better health outcomes.

Donations to the new fund are being accepted by check with the memo EVHF or Homelessness Fund to The Unitarian Church of Los Alamos at 1738 N. Sage Loop, Los Alamos, NM 87544. As the coalition expands its work, officials say the fund aims to strengthen ties across municipalities and centers of care, while centering equity in regional responses to homelessness.