The $2.2 million project is an affordable housing solution for low-income residents with behavioral health issues and other disabilities

LAS VEGAS, NM- Governor Bill Richardson today participated in a groundbreaking ceremony that will bring affordable, supportive housing to Las Vegas, New Mexico. The $2.2 million Vista Gallinas Apartments project will create 15 new rental homes and a community center for people with behavioral health issues and other disabilities.

“Supportive Housing projects are instrumental for those with the most challenging housing needs – those who have disabilities and have little, if any, income to pay for rent,” Governor Bill Richardson said. “The Vista Gallinas Apartments and other supportive housing projects are an affordable and effective solution to reduce housing instability in communities like Las Vegas and other areas of the state.”

The Supportive Housing Coalition received funding and assistance for the $2.2 million project from state, federal and private partners.  The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the New Mexico Mortgage Finance Authority, Enterprise Community Partners, and the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas all helped finance the building of the project and the NM Behavioral Health Collaborative provided capacity development assistance.

“We believe this project will help address a significant gap in the city’s affordable housing stock and we’re confident that these beautiful garden style rental homes will be something that the entire community will be proud of,” said Mark Allison, Executive Director, Supportive Housing Coalition of NM. 

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) provided the majority of the funding for this project, with nearly $1.4 million. 

“HUD looks forward to a successful project and further collaboration particularly in the rural areas of New Mexico,” said Frank Padilla of HUD.

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“Access to supportive services, including case management is pivotal in helping this population move toward independent community living,” said Pamela Hyde, Human Services Department Secretary and co-chair of the Behavioral Health Collaborative. “Access to more Supportive Housing across New Mexico is a priority of the Collaborative.”

Residents will pay no more than 30 percent of their income for rent, which will typically be approximately $170 per month. Rental assistance from the Department of Housing and Urban Development enables the rents to remain affordable, even to individuals with no or very limited incomes.

“This project is a wonderful example of the Mortgage Finance Authority’s mission to create quality, affordable housing and revitalize neighborhoods,” said Jay Czar, Executive Director of the New Mexico Mortgage Finance Authority.  “Vista Gallinas will create a beautiful and safe living environment for residents who have among the most difficult housing needs.”

The Vista Gallinas project will also bring in more than $2 million in capital to Las Vegas and generate approximately $150,000 in gross receipts taxes for the city.

Based in Albuquerque, the Supportive Housing Coalition of New Mexico is a statewide non-profit housing organization incorporated in 1996 that develops, owns and manages a variety of affordable supportive housing options for people with behavioral health issues and other disabilities.  The Coalition has assisted over 1,000 families with supportive housing. 

Collaborating partners in the provision of supportive services for the project are; the Samaritan House, the NM Behavioral Health Collaborative, the State’s Behavioral Health Institute, and the Human Services Department’s Behavioral Health Services Division.