Community Against Violence asks Taos to sell land and deed buildings so nonprofit can expand shelter services

Randy Baca, vice chair of the Community Against Violence board, and Executive Director Joella Montoya presented a request on April 21 for the town to sell the parcel on which CAV’s shelter and administrative buildings sit and to deed the buildings to the nonprofit.

CAV history and purpose: Joella Montoya described CAV as the only domestic violence shelter serving Taos County and surrounding areas; she said the organization was founded in 1978 and provides crisis intervention, shelter, advocacy, and prevention and intervention programs. “We are the sole agency that works with adult and child survivors of domestic and [sexual] violence, and… we are the only domestic shelter in Taos County,” Montoya said.

What CAV requested: Board and staff said the parcel is a larger, roughly seven‑acre property, with the shelter and annex occupying a smaller footprint; they asked for the town’s help to define an appropriate lot split or sale of the specific parcel (they described it as “less than an acre, or a little over an acre” for the building footprint). The nonprofit said it has some funds available and a commitment from its board to put money toward purchase once an appraisal and terms are set; CAV said U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján’s office had offered assistance pursuing further funding for expansion once ownership is clear.

Why it matters: CAV said ownership would allow the nonprofit to invest in building improvements and expand shelter capacity, forensic interview and child advocacy rooms, and consolidated space for staff and programs. Joella Montoya described recent investments the nonprofit has already made: “In the last year, we’ve put $10,000 into roof repair. We’ve put $16,000 into replacing a boiler just two weeks ago,” she said, and argued formal ownership would better position CAV to pursue state and federal capital grants.

Town response and next steps: Council members and town staff asked for time to examine the original grant and deed records. Manager Lupe Martinez and Council members said legal review is needed because several of the buildings and the original construction were funded or administered through Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds and may include reversion or disposal clauses. Council members expressed support in principle and asked the town to report back with appraisal options, legal constraints and proposed terms. Councilor Camille (surname not specified in record) urged staff to proceed: “I would like to see the town move forward with this request to purchase and a deeding of the building. You have my blessing,” she said.

Ending: Town staff agreed to research the grant agreement language, review appraisal options and bring a formal proposal to council for a future meeting; no sale, appraisal or deed action was taken at the workshop.