housing project in albuquerque for residents with behavioral health issues wins approval

A 42-unit multi-family housing development is set for construction on Third Street NW, about a mile to the north of downtown Albuquerque.

The three-story facility, designed by the Albuquerque-based Mullen Heller Architecture, will include one-bedroom units, as well as a glassed-in central front lobby, offices, maintenance room, laundry rooms on the upper floors, and public gathering space.

What is being called the Hopeworks Village is a joint project between the St. Martins Hopeworks of Albuquerque and YES Housing Incorporated.

An organization that fosters community development and has spearheaded similar efforts in Belen, Clovis, and Los Alamos, the nonprofit YES Housing usually takes on the community relations and financing aspects of its housing projects.

Members of the Albuquerque City Council have now approved up to $2 million to get the Hopeworks Village project built.

That money, according to city documents, will be specifically used to purchase land and build a  “single-site behavioral health services center with associated supportive and transitional affordable housing for those suffering from behavioral health issues and who are in need of shelter.”

Additional funding for the project may be coming from both Bernalillo County as well as State of New Mexico sources.

By Garry Boulard