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Socorro and New Mexico representatives gathered for the Vista de Socorro Apartments ribbon cutting on Thursday morning.
Numerous entities, including the El Camino Real Housing Authority, National Equity Fund, JL Gray and Company, and local and state government offices, who supported the project were in attendance.
The project’s success was attributed to the persistence and teamwork of the involved parties. It is expected to provide safe and affordable housing for the community and address issues of housing, mental health, and substance abuse.
Mary Ann Chavez-Lopez, the executive director of the El Camino Real Housing Authority, who was recognized as the project’s driving force, gave an emotional speech.
“I am honored to welcome you to this very special occasion. This project represents years of vision, dedication, and collaboration, and it would not have been possible without the support of so many of you. I want to take a moment to recognize our incredible partners and funders who helped bring this community to life,” Chavez-Lopez said.
She thanked her staff, calling them her “backbone,” and emphasized that the project was about teamwork.
“I always say it’s great to be part of a great team because they make you look really good, and the truth is, this is because of all of you here, and I lent a small part in this. It was a scary part, I must admit,” Former State Representative Tara Jaramillo said.
She spoke about the challenges of the increased costs that occurred during COVID-19.
“The project had been slated and planned for about six years, and then COVID came in, and costs had increased… I knew that there was going to be a very long line of people asking for funding,” Jaramillo said. “We didn’t take no for an answer, and it was through the tenacity of everybody here.”
“Thank you, Mary Ann, the spearhead of this project. Without the village which it takes to commit to a project like this to little old Socorro to Socorro County. It takes a spearhead and it takes a village. So thank you all for being part of the village. From 6 million to 13 million, that’s a big jump. It happens all the time. In the last couple of years, it’s happened more and more and more,” State Representative Gail Armstrong said.
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Attendees gathered in front of the apartment complex and Socorro Mayor Ravi Bhasker offered a few words before Chavez-Lopez cut the red ribbon.
“Mary Ann thanks so much for doing this,” Bhasker said. “Welcome to Socorro everyone who is out of town and thank you everybody for what they did for us... Let’s cut the ribbon.”
In February 2024, the project broke ground on affordable housing in Socorro. 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.
The apartment complex consists of 32 units and is situated near Socorro High School, Socorro General Hospital, and Socorro Mental Health. The complex will provide subsidized rent and on-site services aimed at helping residents achieve stability.
Managed by Socorro County, the services will include case management, job coaching, life skills programming, free transportation, a food pantry and substance abuse counseling.
The building includes 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.
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.
El Camino Real Housing Authority received $4.5 million in funding from Gov. Lujan Grisham’s Casa Connection Grant Program for this property. The developer – JL Gray Company – hosted the grand opening ceremony, said Housing New Mexico in a press release.
According to Housing New Mexico, the Vista de Socorro Apartments is a low-income, permanent supportive housing property serving residents whose income is from 30% to 60% of Area Median Income (AMI). For example, in Socorro County:
30% of the AMI for a one-person household is $14,460 and for a two-person household is $16,530
60% of the AMI for a one-person household is $28,920 and for a two-person household is $33,060
Vista de Socorro is one of 51 multifamily active projects Housing New Mexico has in various stages of construction across the state. These projects represent approximately $370.3 million in funding for 4,882 apartment units located in 19 municipalities in 14 counties. Once under construction, the eventual economic impact of all 51 projects is estimated to generate approximately $1.29 billion in local income and create approximately 15,769 jobs.
Housing New Mexico, otherwise known as New Mexico Mortgage Finance Authority (MFA), was created in 1975 by the New Mexico State Legislature to provide quality affordable housing opportunities for all New Mexico residents.
In addition to funding the construction and rehabilitation of affordable housing and rental properties, Housing New Mexico’s programs include down payment assistance, homelessness prevention and emergency shelter, weatherization services, rental assistance, and housing for people with special needs, which have provided over 505,000 families with affordable housing and services since its inception.
