Construction on a new affordable housing project in Las Cruces, New Mexico, began on Wednesday at the Mesilla Valley Community of Hope campus. The project, Amador Crossing Apartments, aims to provide a 50-unit supportive housing complex, offering essential services like food assistance, healthcare, and case management, all within walking distance for residents.

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, speaking at the groundbreaking, highlighted the national housing crisis, pointing to inflated costs, low supply, and lack of prioritization. “We’re committing resources to get things built. Those things primarily are housing,” she stated.

Rep. Micaela Lara Cadena (D-Mesilla) emphasized the innovative approach to the project, noting the City of Las Cruces' role as the fiscal sponsor, facilitating quick distribution of funds to community organizations. “That seems like it’s probably the most effective way to get spends happening quickly on shovel-ready projects,” Lara Cadena said.

The $16 million project is primarily funded through the City of Las Cruces, a state Mortgage Finance Authority grant, and capital outlay funds from the governor and state legislators. However, a remaining $4 million gap must be filled to cover construction, furnishings, fixtures, solar power, and roadway improvements.

Lara Cadena also mentioned that “hundreds of millions of new dollars” will be allocated for behavioral health and housing projects statewide, though she has yet to see the draft budget for the upcoming legislative session.

The project’s construction phase is expected to take about 18 months, according to the city’s Affordable Housing Investment Strategy.