Reps. Gabe Vasquez and Melanie Stansbury Welcome $16 Million to End Homelessness in New Mexico
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – On Tuesday, April 23, 2024, U.S. Reps. Gabe Vasquez (NM-02) and Melanie Stansbury (NM-01) convened a roundtable and press conference at Albuquerque’s Cuidando Los Niños to announce the delegation secured $16 million to help end homelessness in New Mexico. Vasquez and Stansbury were joined by organizations from across the state including La Casa Inc, Mesilla Valley Community of Hope, Supportive House Coalition of New Mexico, representatives from the City of Albuquerque and more.
The delegation welcomed the historic investment from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Continuum of Care program to support organizations across New Mexico that provide housing assistance and supportive services to people experiencing homelessness.
“This funding will make a real impact in the lives of fellow New Mexicans. Every dollar of this investment gets us one step closer to ending the homelessness crisis that has affected our communities for far too long,” said Vasquez. “And let me be clear - I have heard loud and clear from New Mexicans across my district about the gravity of this situation and the urgent need for short-term solutions and relief.”
“Housing is a human right,” said Stansbury. “But far too many New Mexicans have been denied equal access to affordable housing, which hurts every community across the state. That’s why I am thrilled that New Mexico will receive $16 million from the Department of Housing and Urban Development to help end homelessness. This investment will grant 28 organizations in New Mexico the ability to help even more people find permanent housing and grant them crucial access to programs they need to survive.”
Rep. Vasquez has championed several initiatives to end homelessness and lower housing costs for New Mexicans, including the Affordable Housing Credit Improvement Act, which supported the financing of more affordable housing by expanding and strengthening the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit. This bill makes it easier to access low-income housing credits, encourages developments in rural and Native communities and increases the amount of credits given to states.
The breakdown of the $16 million federal funding allocation includes significant grants to key organizations dedicated to addressing homelessness in New Mexico:
- $163,211 for Albuquerque Health Care for the Homeless, Inc.
- $1,067,213 for Catholic Charities
- $3,591,847 for City of Albuquerque
- $229,048 for Cuidando Los Niños
- $325,516 for High Desert Housing
- $108,858 for New Mexico Coalition to End Homelessness
- $535,524 for Supportive Housing Coalition of New Mexico
- $375,422 for TenderLove Community Center
- $53,915 for Abode Inc
- $632,625 for Battered Families Services, Inc.
- $121,063 for Casa Milagro Inc.
- $139,702 for Community Against Violence, Inc.
- $372,924 for County of Sandoval
- $628,833 for DreamTree Project, Inc.
- $325,276 for El Camino Real Housing Authority
- $128,661 for El Refugio, Inc.
- $940,816 for La Casa, Inc.
- $1,125,523 for Mesilla Valley Community of Hope
- $1,325,877 for New Mexico Coalition to End Homelessness
- $382,677 for Saint Elizabeth Shelter Corporation
- $269,676 for San Juan County Partnership
- $158,403 for San Juan Safe Communities Initiative, Inc.
- $340,617 for Santa Fe Community Housing Trust
- $237,479 for SPIN Supporting People In Need
- $75,378 for Supportive Housing Coalition of New Mexico
- $953,769 for The Life Link
- $498,370 for Valencia Shelter Services for Victims of Domestic Violence
- $1,165,192 for Youth Shelters and Family Services
The press conference was held at Cuidando Los Niños (CLN), a local organization aimed at breaking the cycle of homelessness for children and families. CLN does so by providing high-quality early childhood education, case management, supportive housing and parent education.
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