$500,000 grant will fund critical repairs at Mesilla Valley Community of Hope
Mesilla Valley Community of Hope will receive $500,000 from Housing New Mexico for a critical roof replacement and rehabilitation work at its Las Cruces day shelter.
Housing New Mexico funding will replace a failing roof at the Las Cruces day shelter as Community of Hope continues a broader expansion of services for people experiencing homelessness
Organ Mountain News report
LAS CRUCES - Mesilla Valley Community of Hope will receive $500,000 from Housing New Mexico to replace a failing roof and make other rehabilitation improvements at its Las Cruces day shelter, adding another piece to the homelessness-services campus’ ongoing expansion.
The award is part of $3.15 million distributed so far this year through Housing New Mexico’s Housing Innovation Program.
Community of Hope Executive Director Nicole Martinez said the funding addresses a problem that has repeatedly interfered with services.
“This Housing Innovation award will fund a critical roof replacement, resolving a long-standing issue that disrupted our services during monsoon season,” Martinez said. “With our facility secure, we can fully redirect our focus toward helping clients transition out of homelessness.”
The grant comes as Community of Hope continues reshaping its campus and services in response to changing patterns of homelessness in Las Cruces.
Damien Willis
As Organ Mountain News previously reported, the organization has been expanding its focus on housing, outreach and case management while seeing more people experience homelessness for the first time.
That work has included redevelopment of city-owned property along W. Amador Avenue, including a warehouse intended to support expanded outreach and case-management services and provide additional space during extreme heat and cold.
The $500,000 Housing New Mexico award is specifically designated for rehabilitation of the Community of Hope day shelter.
Housing New Mexico’s Housing Innovation Program was created in 2023 to support housing needs that do not fit within the agency’s existing programs. Thirty-three eligible applicants have received funding since the program began.
A second Doña Ana County organization also received $500,000 in the latest round. Crosstown for Living Peace Women’s Re-Entry House will use the money to build transitional housing for formerly incarcerated women.
Together, the two Doña Ana County projects account for $1 million of the $3.15 million Housing New Mexico has awarded through the program so far in 2026.
Other recipients this year include DreamTree Project in Taos, Greater Albuquerque Habitat for Humanity, Heading Home, HopeWorks and Rebuilding Together Sandoval County.
“Our Housing Innovation Program allows us to support projects with flexible funding from the New Mexico Housing Trust Fund,” Housing New Mexico Executive Director and CEO Isidoro Hernandez said.
Hernandez said the program can support projects ranging from homelessness prevention and home preservation to homeownership.
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