Albuquerque, Bernalillo County to Receive Major Housing Investment

ALBUQUERQUE – Albuquerque and Bernalillo County will receive $80 million for housing and homelessness projects, part of a $120 million statewide allocation announced earlier this month by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham to expand affordable housing options, reduce homelessness, and improve public safety in New Mexico.  

The New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions’ (NMDWS) Office of Housing will oversee distribution of the funds. 

“When families don’t have to worry about keeping a roof over their heads, everything else becomes possible,” said Gov. Lujan Grisham. “These investments reflect our commitment to tackling housing and homelessness with urgency and compassion.” 

“Today we celebrate what we can do when we all work together to tackle our housing challenges,” said NMDWS Cabinet Secretary Sarita Nair. “The Lujan Grisham administration is investing in proven strategies to expand the stock of affordable and attainable housing, prevent homelessness, increase coordination and capacity in the shelter system, and fortify pathways out of homelessness.”

“Every New Mexican deserves the opportunity to create a better life for their family. That’s why we pushed for this historic, direct investment to expand access to affordable housing and help address homelessness in our communities,” said New Mexico House Speaker Javier Martínez (D-Albuquerque). “Safe, stable housing is not only key to improving the well-being of our kids and families, it will also help us tackle some of the toughest challenges facing our state—like persistent crime and generational poverty. We are grateful to see these projects get off the ground and we will continue our work to make life more affordable for you and your family.” 

The first round of allocations reflects state legislators’ intention to prioritize projects in the Albuquerque-Bernalillo County metropolitan area, with the potential to fully expend the funds by June 30, 2026.  

Funded projects: 

• Poblana Place Apartments 

• Sombra del Oeste 

• Tierra Linda 

• Wells Fargo Building 

• West Mesa Ridge A 

• West Mesa Ridge B 

• Juniper Flats  

• Gateway and Youth Homelessness Facilities 

• Home repair 

• Rapid Rehousing 

“Bernalillo County is grateful for the leadership of our Legislature and the Governor and our partnership with the City of Albuquerque as we move forward together,” said Bernalillo County Commissioner Barbara Baca. “This visionary commitment will jump-start our ‘BernCo Builds Communities’ initiative to create real housing solutions and revitalize our communities.” 

“It has taken us years to build our ‘all of the above,’ layered approach to housing with the Gateway system that meets people where they are,” said Mayor Tim Keller. “We’re seeing results, and we appreciate the support from the Governor and the Legislature, which will enable us to make more progress to help more folks find stable housing.” 

Project Descriptions 

Poblana Place Apartments:  $17,850,517 

Located at 2818 Fourth St. NW, Bernalillo County is in negotiations to purchase the “move-in ready” 84-apartment home complex to include workforce housing and supportive services for seniors and displaced youth. 

Sombra del Oeste: $1,500,000 

A new mixed-income development of townhomes is designed to attract first-time buyers in southwest Albuquerque. The plan is to add 72 homes (55 three-bedroom, 17 two-bedroom) by June 2026. Housing New Mexico has joined state mortgage lender Homewise in setting up funds to provide down payment assistance for about 14 homes and will be set up into a revolving account so future home buyers in the community also can receive the same benefit. All appliances will be electric and residences can opt in to adding solar panels to their homes. 

Tierra Linda: $6,000,000 

Located in Southwest Albuquerque at Dennis Chavez Boulevard and East 98^th Street, it will add 240 homes and house an estimated 840 residents. Construction will consist of 10 three-story wood-framed, garden-style walkup buildings in a contemporary Southwestern architectural style and a community clubhouse including a kitchenette, fitness/exercise room and an outdoor veranda. Eligibility will be for those earning less than 60% of the area median income (AMI), or less than $38,400 annually for one person to $54,840 for a four-person household. The Bernalillo County Board of Commissioners approved $55 million in project revenue bonds for West Mesa Ridge A and application for Phase B is pending. 

Wells Fargo Building: $10,000,000 

The redevelopment will convert the 13-story structure into Lomas Tower – 100 residences for an estimated 140 people total. Eligibility will be for those earning less than 70% AMI ($44,800 for a one-person household, $51,240 for two). The first level will feature banking services, offices, community amenity rooms, and fitness and retail space. Residences and a restaurant will occupy the second floor, and levels 3-12 will include one- and two-bedroom homes. Final Bernalillo County Board of Commissioners approval of $35 million in project revenue bonds is pending. 

West Mesa Ridge A: $3,500,000 
West Mesa Ridge B: $10,000,000 

This West Side multifamily facility under construction at 701 Coors Blvd. will include 128 one- to three-bedroom homes available to house up to 448 residents. Eligibility will range from 30% ($19,200 for a one-person household, $27,400 for four) to 80% AMI ($51,200 for one person up to $73,100 for four). The county approved $28.9 million in project revenue bonds. 

Albuquerque Juniper Flats: $5,000,000 

This project, formerly known as Juniper Flats, will now be known as Gateway Senior. Over the last year, 300 senior citizens aged 65 and older slept at Gateway West, the City’s largest shelter. . To bridge this gap, the City is in negotiations to purchase Gateway Senior, which will offer 204 affordable housing units, case management, and other vital wrap-around services.    

Gateway and Youth Homelessness Facility: $16,839,604 

Gateway Center: 

• At the center of the Gateway System of Care is the Housing and Treatment Navigation Model. Through this intergovernmental agreement, $1.35 million will be allocated to expand the Women’s Housing and Treatment Navigation program by 50 beds, offering intensive case management, access to treatment, and connection to permanent housing.  

• $1.35 million will be allocated for operating the first 42 Men’s Housing and Treatment Navigation Center beds. 

• An additional $1.35 million will go toward the operation of 50 additional Men’s housing and Treatment Navigation Center beds.  

• $1.28 million to maintain operations at the First Responder Receiving Area, which provides overnight connections to short and long-term resources and treatment. 

• $1.16 million in additional operational dollars at Gateway Center 

• $2.97 million for roof improvements at Gateway Center 

Gateway West: 

• $6.1 million is allocated for ongoing operations and $400K for facility improvements at Gateway West, which serves more than 660 people nightly and provides case management and resources to connect people to their next steps.   

Gateway Young Adult: 

• Over the last year, 138 young adults called Gateway West home. Now, Gateway Young Adult will fill this need, as a more appropriate space for young adults to get connected to resources and permanent housing. Through this Intergovernmental Agreement, $862,500 will be allocated to operate the Gateway Young Adult Housing and Treatment Navigation Center, which will be located at San Mateo near I-25. 

• Gateway Young Adult will include:  

• 41 beds for young adults ages 18–25 

• Intensive Case management, access to substance use treatment, and supportive services leading to permanent housing