LAS CRUCES – Two housing projects in Las Cruces and Doña Ana County are receiving a combined $1 million in state grant funding, including $500,000 for critical repairs at the Mesilla Valley Community of Hope day shelter.
Housing New Mexico announced the City of Las Cruces has received a $500,000 Housing Innovation Program grant for rehabilitation of the Mesilla Valley Community of Hope facility. The money will pay for a critical roof replacement at the day shelter.
Mesilla Valley Community of Hope Executive Director Nicole Martinez said the roof has been a long-standing problem that has interfered with the organization’s ability to provide services during southern New Mexico’s monsoon season.
“This Housing Innovation award will fund a critical roof replacement, resolving a long-standing issue that disrupted our services during monsoon season,” Martinez said. “With our facility secure, we can fully redirect our focus toward helping clients transition out of homelessness.”
Another $500,000 is being awarded to Crosstown for Living Peace Women’s Re-Entry House to build transitional housing for formerly incarcerated women in Doña Ana County.
Together, the two local projects account for $1 million of the $3.15 million Housing New Mexico has awarded to seven organizations through the Housing Innovation Program so far in 2026.
The Housing Innovation Program was established in 2023 to address housing needs that are not being served through Housing New Mexico’s existing programs. The program allows eligible organizations to develop housing solutions tailored to the needs of individual communities.
Funding for the program comes from the New Mexico Housing Trust Fund.
“Our Housing Innovation Program allows us to support projects with flexible funding from the New Mexico Housing Trust Fund,” Housing New Mexico Executive Director and CEO Isidoro Hernandez said. “Whether it’s working toward homelessness prevention, home preservation or homeownership, this program results in life-changing experiences for New Mexicans, and we thank our partners for the work they do to implement these programs.”
Five additional organizations elsewhere in New Mexico have received Housing Innovation grants this year.
DreamTree Project Inc. in Taos received $500,000 to rehabilitate a congregate shelter facility. Greater Albuquerque Habitat for Humanity received $500,000 for its Critical Systems Replacement Program for Seniors.
HopeWorks received $500,000 for renovations to its Albuquerque day shelter, while Heading Home received $301,975 to rehabilitate the Albuquerque Opportunity Center, an emergency shelter serving unhoused individuals.
Rebuilding Together Sandoval County received $350,000 for its Critical Home Repair and Disability Modification programs.
Housing New Mexico says 33 eligible applicants have received Housing Innovation Program funding since the program was established in 2023.
Housing New Mexico, formerly known as the New Mexico Mortgage Finance Authority, was created by the New Mexico Legislature in 1975 and serves as the state’s housing authority. Its programs support affordable housing construction and rehabilitation, down-payment assistance, homelessness prevention, emergency shelters, weatherization, rental assistance and housing for people with special needs.
John Krehbiel – Bravo Mic Communications News – John@bravomic.com
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