Housing applications open: Vista de Socorro slated to open in May

It’s been a year and some change since ground broke on a new affordable housing project in Socorro. According to El Camino Real Housing Authority Executive Director Mary Ann Chavez-Lopez, the new Vista de Socorro is a 32-unit apartment complex that will provide one- and two-bedroom housing for low-income single individuals and families, as well as seven units reserved for those with disabilities.

“[Vista de Socorro] has 100% of subsidy, so as long as you make a 30% of medium income, then you qualify,” Chavez-Lopez said.

Located behind Socorro Mental Health and Socorro General Hospital, the Vista de Socorro apartment complex is slated to open May 2025, and will include amenities such as a laundry room, commons area, community garden and food pantry, which the public is welcome to contribute to through the apartment management.

“Within our jurisdiction, we service about 1000 people, and that’s not including the people that we service outside our area in the northern region, or for the rehab program. That’s another 1000 that we serve,” Chavez-Lopez said.

El Camino Real Housing Authority, whose headquarters are in Socorro, offer several programs, including the Section 8 housing voucher program that serves residents in their jurisdiction in Socorro, Valencia, and Torrance counties. They are also a contract agent for the Northern Regional Housing Authority for Section Eight programs in Cibola, Mora, Taos, Colfax and San Miguel counties.

Additionally, the organization offers a Continuum of Care program for the homeless for residents of Socorro and Valencia counties, and a home rehab program that is available to those in Socorro, Valencia, Torrance, Catron, Taos, Cibola Colfax, and Mora counties. They also provide the Family Self Sufficiency Program that helps participants become financially self-sufficient through financial classes and other programming over five years, with the goal being they graduate and are able to pay their mortgage without subsidy from El Camino.

Chavez-Lopez says the current changes happening with the federal cutbacks have not directly affected them at this time, but there is concern that the local HUD office may be terminated which would make the closest HUD office in Fort Worth, Texas.

“HUD has become a friend to all the housing authorities in New Mexico, and they help us with anything that we need,” Chavez-Lopez said. “I think that’s where we’re concerned, because we’re not going to have that local connection anymore.”

She said they hope they won’t experience any federal funding cuts because of the amount of New Mexico residents they service.

Tenants in 12 units at El Gabaldon Apartments were recently notified that the complex would be closing for renovation and tenants were asked to find alternative housing. Chavez-Lopez said El Camino Housing Authority has already received applications for Vista de Socorro from some of the elderly tenants there who are moving out of El Gabaldon.

Applications to apply for housing opened on March 6. Those on social security, SSI, Unemployment, TANF, or who have zero income are all qualified to get their applications from Kathy Muncy at the Cibola Apartments at 1101 El Camino Real St. in Socorro. For Questions, contact El Camino Real Housing Authority at 575-747-1653, 301 Otero Ave. E, Socorro, NM 87801.