Rep. Stansbury Announces $7.6 million in Affordable Housing Programs and Passage of the Most Significant Housing Legislation in Decades

ALBUQUERQUE - Today, Congresswoman Melanie Stansbury (NM-01) held a press conference with local organizations that she helped secure federal funding for through Community Project Funding. These projects work to expand the affordable housing supply and support seniors, families, and young people experiencing homelessness and housing insecurity across New Mexico.

Rep. Stansbury also celebrated the enactment of the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act (H.R. 6644) as one of the most significant bipartisan housing bills to pass Congress in the last 30 years. The bill became law on July 11th without the President's signature after Congress passed the legislation to dramatically increase the building of affordable housing, cut red tape, expand access to capital, modernize programs, and restrict private equity and institutional investors from buying family homes.

Through Community Project Funding, the Congresswoman has secured more than $7.6 million for seven projects, including:

• $4.5 million for the City of Albuquerque for a homeless youth center to provide our first dedicated facility for young people experiencing homelessness, including a safe, transitional environment, secured in FY23 and FY24.
• $300,000 for the Veterans Integration Center for the first veterans transitional housing campus in New Mexico to provide transitional housing and programs for Veterans and their families experiencing housing insecurity, secured in FY23.
• $994,950 for Saranam for transitional housing for families experiencing homelessness - for construction of a new transitional housing project to serve unhoused families in Albuquerque's west side and provide wrap-around services as families get back on their feet, secured in FY24.
• $500,000 for YDI to provide a transitional housing facility for at-risk youth in Albuquerque, secured in FY24.
• $850,000 for the City of Albuquerque to provide a senior stability shelter in Albuquerque to provide permanent supportive housing for seniors experiencing homelessness, secured in FY26.
• $250,000 for Bernalillo County to expand affordable housing by providing affordable housing for low- and moderate-income seniors and families in Downtown Albuquerque and Bernalillo County, secured in FY26.
• $250,000 for Housing New Mexico to expand transitional housing for families in Albuquerque experiencing crisis, secured in FY26.

"Housing is a human right. Every person in our communities deserves a safe, affordable place they can call home," Rep. Stansbury said. "With the rising cost of living-from groceries, gas, and rent-it is imperative we put in the work to ensure our families, young people, seniors, and veterans get the support they need when experiencing a housing crisis. That's why I am so proud to have secured millions for housing projects across NM-01. But it's going to take work from every level-federal, state, and local-to make this a reality. I am grateful to be in this fight with community partners who are dedicated to making New Mexico a better place."

"Gateway Young Adult exists because federal investment made it possible, and because this community decided that young people facing homelessness deserved more than just a bed," Gilbert Ramírez, Director of the Department of Health, Housing & Homelessness at the City of Albuquerque, said. "We built this center around what young people actually told us they needed: a place that feels safe, services that meet them where they are, and a team that believes in their potential. Gateway Young Adult is just one piece of a broader system. From emergency shelter and medical sobering to permanent housing and home rehabilitation, the Department of Health, Housing & Homelessness meets people at every stage. Federal funding flowing to local organizations is what gives us the capacity to do this impactful work."

"Thanks to Congresswoman Stansbury's support, we're strengthening Bernalillo County's home rehab program so families can stay safely housed," Cindy Chavez, Bernalillo County Manager, said. "When all levels of government and non-profits work together, we are able to expand housing options for all."

"We are grateful for Rep. Stansbury's support of Community Project Funding and for taking the time to meet the families at the heart of our work," Tracy Weaver, Saranam Executive Director, said. "This investment matters because it strengthens Saranam'sability to provide New Mexico families facing homelessness with stable housing, education, and a supportive community. It gives families the tools and opportunities to build stability, move out of poverty and create lasting change across generations."

"The Veterans Integration Centers recently opened a new, state-of-the-art campus serving veterans and their families," Brock Wolff, CEO of the Veterans Integration Center, said. "The campus provides transitional housing, supportive services, suicide-prevention programming, and a food pantry. Thanks to Congresswoman Stansbury's support in securing funding for furniture, fixtures, and equipment at our new campus, VIC is better equipped to provide safe, dignified, and effective services to veterans and their families. This investment is helping us improve outcomes and change lives for the men and women who have served our nation and are experiencing or at risk of homelessness. We are also grateful for Congresswoman Stansbury's leadership in advancing $800,000 for a future statewide transportation initiative. When funding becomes available, this initiative will help veterans-particularly those in rural and underserved communities-reach medical care, benefits, and other essential services."

"Empowering Homeless Youth is about far more than providing a safe place to stay, it is about giving young people the stability, support, and opportunities they need to build a stronger future," Robert Chavez, CEO of YDI, said. "From education and employment to therapeutic care and independent living skills, our goal is to ensure every young person leaves with greater confidence, resilience, and hope for what comes next."

"As the state housing finance agency and the pass-through entity of these important federal resources, Housing New Mexico sees firsthand the impact of the work being accomplished to support New Mexico families," Kellie Tillerson, Community Development Director of Housing New Mexico, said. "This funding will support the stability of New Mexico's First Congressional District's most vulnerable residents. By creating stable housing opportunities, these families will be positioned to live more prosperous lives and contribute positively to the District 1 community. We are grateful to Congresswoman Stansbury for her ongoing support of families with children who are struggling with housing and thank her for making $250,000 available for transitional housing for families in Albuquerque. Housing New Mexico is proud to partner with providers statewide to deliver services at the local level."

In addition to securing Community Project Funding for the projects above, Congresswoman Stansbury has submitted Community Project Funding requests for FY27 for four more housing projects in NM-01:

• $25,868,600 requested for the Mescalero Apache Nation for the Windy Point Housing Development to support the development of the Windy Point Housing Development and address critical housing needs across the Mescalero Apache Nation.
• $2,500,000 requested for the City of Albuquerque's young adult housing expansion to support the expansion of housing for young adults and provide stable living environments and supportive services for vulnerable young adults and youth.
• $2,000,000 requested for the City of Albuquerque's affordable housing acquisition to support land acquisition by the City of Albuquerque's Metropolitan Redevelopment Agency to advance affordable housing development and expand housing opportunities for Albuquerque residents.
• $2,000,000 to Bernalillo County for the homelessness prevention and housing stabilization program to support homelessness prevention and housing stabilization services and help vulnerable residents remain housed and avoid homelessness across Bernalillo County.

Community Project Funding (CPF) grants are congressionally directed spending grants that fund a variety of projects nationwide, such as housing, homelessness prevention, workforce training, public facilities, parks, resilience planning, and other critical infrastructure and services.

To watch a video of the press conference, click here.

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