The City of Albuquerque is among those receiving a share of state funds totaling approximately $10.6 million as part of the Casa Connection Grant Program to help stop homelessness.
“Safe, affordable and comfortable housing is key to building stronger foundations for New Mexicans,” Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham said in announcing the cities and agencies that will receive this funding from the fiscal year 2023 budget.
The funding will help create transitional housing and homeless shelters throughout the state, addressing specific needs.
“This program is investing directly in creating new and needed transitional housing opportunities for New Mexico communities and supporting a holistic approach to reducing homelessness," Gov. Grisham said. "My administration will continue to make meaningful investments in housing and other support services statewide that lift up those facing adversity, working to ensure New Mexicans have the tools they need to build healthy, prosperous lives.”
Among those on the funding list, the City of Albuquerque will receive $2.86 million to purchase a hotel and renovate it into apartments for transitional housing. Also in Albuquerque, Crossroads for Women will get $2 million to increase capacity at Maya’s Place, a transitional living program for women coming out of prison.
“For 25 years, Crossroads for Women has served justice-involved women who exemplify the true meaning of resilience by working every day to improve their own lives and the lives of their children,” Crossroads for Women in Albuquerque Executive Director Cory Lee said in a release from the governor’s office. “We appreciate Gov. Lujan Grisham for recognizing this important work, and we are grateful to be a recipient of the Casa Connection Grant, allowing us to grow our capacity and serve more women who are working to break cycles and build their lives.”
Other recipients include the City of Deming/Luna County Economic Development Center with $2.5 million to renovate a hotel into a homeless shelter; El Camino Real Housing Authority in Socorro with $2.5 million for the Vista de Socorro housing project; and Mescalero Apache Tribe Housing Department with $750,000 for A Dii Di Ni Kuwaa, which is a 40-unit affordable housing project on tribal land.
According to the release, the allocation of the Casa Connection funds follows the announcement in November of $20 million in awards from the New Mexico Home Fund, supporting 41 organizations in the state that provide housing stability services for at-risk communities and help renters navigate housing obstacles.
