SANTA FE, N.M. (KFOX14/CBS4) — Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham announced a significant investment of $120 million to address housing and homelessness across New Mexico.
The funds, distributed by the Office of Housing at the New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions, aim to expand affordable housing options, reduce homelessness, and improve public safety.
“These investments prioritize solving New Mexico’s housing crisis through focused investments in affordable and attainable housing, support for prevention, and proven solutions to the challenge of homelessness,” said Governor Lujan Grisham. “When we face a challenge of this magnitude, we must take an ‘all the above’ approach.”
The initial allocation includes over $80 million for projects in the Albuquerque-Bernalillo County area, more than $11 million for the Las Cruces-Doña Ana County area, and $13 million for other regions.
Additionally, $7.8 million will support families experiencing homelessness through the McKinney-Vento programs in Albuquerque, Las Cruces, and Santa Fe public schools.
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Sarita Nair, Cabinet Secretary of the New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions, emphasized the importance of investing in proven strategies. “We know that building more housing makes housing more affordable, that preventing homelessness is more cost-effective than shelter, and that transitioning people into stable housing requires wrap-around support and thoughtful interventions. Today’s investments double down on exactly these approaches,” said Nair.
The funding is expected to create over 1,500 affordable housing units, more than 1,500 shelter beds, and over 150 transitional housing units. It will also support prevention programs for over 3,500 families and street outreach services.
The Office of Housing will collaborate with local governments, developers, and service providers to finalize projects, with requests for proposals and applications for additional projects to be issued in the coming month.
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