Las Cruces opens $22M affordable housing complex

LAS CRUCES — Evidence of finishing touches and cleanup were visible Tuesday as Las Cruces officials and private developers cut the ceremonial ribbon on a $22 million affordable housing complex that broke ground just 15 months ago.

The development, titled Three Sisters, opens 70 apartments of low-income family housing on a campus that also sports a community center, playground, laundry facilities and resident support services. It was built on vacant city-owned land.

“This project … addresses a critical need for affordable housing in Las Cruces, where the demand for quality accessible housing has outpaced supply,” Mayor Pro Tem Johana Bencomo said at the ceremony. “This project supports our families and moves us closer to meeting this critical need.”

The city has estimated its housing gap at 5,600 rental units and initiated development of several housing complexes in the city targeting populations in need of affordable rent and associated services.

Three Sisters — a reference to the indigenous practice of planting corn, beans and squash together for the benefit of each crop and soil health — was funded through voter-approved general obligation bonds; city, state and federal funds, including $1 million from the governor’s Casa Connection Grant Program; and federal low-income housing tax credits.

Charles Schmid, CEO of California-based developer Chelsea Investment Corp., likened the mix of private and public agencies and community participation in the project to the concept of companion planting embedded in the Three Sisters name and logo. While Chelsea has developed properties in New Mexico over the past decade, this is its first to open in Doña Ana County.

Several more projects are set to chip away at Las Cruces’ housing gap, some receiving funds through $23 million in bonds voters approved in 2022.

The Pedrena Apartments is an 80-unit complex that will serve lower-income residents age 55 and older, and was reportedly 74% complete as of the end of April.

The Peachtree Canyon Apartments, comprising 144 apartments with pickleball courts, a pool, playgrounds and community space, broke ground last October and is expected to see completion of its first phase as soon as October.

The Las Cruces City Council has also committed $1.35 million toward the $22 million Paseos Verdes housing development, building at least 100 single family homes with some units set aside for veterans and subdivisions intended for first-time homebuyers. The city said construction is anticipated to begin next March.

In January, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham joined lawmakers and local officials for a groundbreaking of Amador Crossing, a 50-unit permanent supportive housing complex on the campus of the Mesilla Valley Community of Hope, where residents can access case management, food and health services. $14.2 million of the projected $15.6 million cost has been secured, the city said.

“Housing is a foundation for strong families and communities,” Housing New Mexico CEO Isidoro Hernandez said at Tuesday’s ceremony. “It’s also a driver of economic development, and it’s estimated that with 4,900 apartments (in development) across the state, it has an economic impact of $1.3 billion and over 15,000 jobs.”