By Organ Mountain News on Nov 7, 2026

Las Cruces seeks public input on homelessness, substance abuse and mental health Nov. 17

Las Cruces will host a Nov. 17 community listening session on homelessness, substance abuse and mental health at Central Elementary. Recording consent is required.

Central Elementary School, 105 N. Alameda Blvd., will host a City of Las Cruces community listening session Nov. 17 focused on homelessness, substance abuse and mental health. Participants must consent to being recorded. (Courtesy photo / City of Las Cruces)

A community listening session at Central Elementary will give residents an opportunity to share concerns and ideas that could help shape future city strategies. Participants must consent to being recorded.

Organ Mountain News report

LAS CRUCES - Las Cruces residents will have an opportunity to share their concerns and ideas about homelessness, substance abuse and mental health during a community listening session scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 17, at Central Elementary School.

The city-sponsored session begins at 6 p.m. at 105 N. Alameda Blvd. and is intended to gather public input that could help inform future strategies addressing those issues.

According to a Nov. 4 news release from the City of Las Cruces, residents are encouraged to participate in discussions about the challenges facing their community and potential approaches to addressing them.

Public input will inform future studies

The city said the listening session will be mediated, with participants invited to discuss their experiences, concerns and ideas.

Information gathered during the meeting will be used to help develop informational studies related to homelessness, substance abuse and mental health.

The city did not identify specific policies, proposed programs or funding decisions that would result from the session.

Residents planning to attend should be aware that participants must consent to being recorded.

The city said the recordings will be used to help develop the informational studies associated with the discussion topics.

The announcement did not specify how recordings would be stored, who would have access to them or whether participants could attend without contributing to the recorded discussion.

The session is open to residents interested in helping shape the community's approach to these issues.

For more information, contact Anthony Turner, the city's public health coordinator, at 575-541-2189.

If You Go

What: Community Listening Session on homelessness, substance abuse and mental health

When: Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2026, at 6 p.m.

Where: Central Elementary School, 105 N. Alameda Blvd., Las Cruces

Participation: Residents are invited to share concerns and ideas. Consent to being recorded is required.

More information: Anthony Turner, City of Las Cruces public health coordinator, 575-541-2189

Keep Reading

Three Deming police officers fatally shoot man during pursuit; second man found dead — State Police are investigating the fatal shooting of Jaime Aguilar during a foot pursuit and the death of Shawn Anderson, who was found at the location of an earlier shots-fired call.

NMSU to honor military members, veterans with week of events Nov. 7-13 — A downtown parade, campus ceremonies, a Vietnam veterans tribute and a free picnic are among the activities planned in Las Cruces.

New Mexico Gov. Lujan Grisham opts in to Trump education tax credit, prompting rebuke from educators — Republican lawmakers welcomed the governor's decision to join the federal program, while teachers unions raised concerns about its impact on public education.