Taos Housing Partnership outlines 2025 plans, homebuyer education and $85,000 subsidy cap discussed

Lisa O’Brien of Taos Housing Partnership updated the Taos Town Council on the nonprofit’s work and plans for 2025 on Nov. 12, saying the group will focus on building development capacity, homebuyer education and launching a second-mortgage down-payment assistance program.

O’Brien told council members Taos Housing Partnership is not a developer but serves as a facilitator and community liaison for housing projects across Taos County. She said the organization obtained 501(c)(3) status in March and has received about $280,000 in unrestricted grant funding to support operations. O’Brien also said Anquorum Health Foundation has allocated a senior fellow to work with the partnership about 12–15 hours per week.

The presentation described several near-term program goals. Taos Housing Partnership has run two HUD‑certified homebuyer education classes this year in partnership with HomeWise of Santa Fe; the organization reported 26 attendees across the two classes and said HUD‑certified coursework connects participants directly to down‑payment assistance and mortgage counseling. O’Brien said the partnership is developing an administrative manual that would allow the group to offer a second‑mortgage subsidy up to $85,000 per home in some cases.

Council members asked about rental housing and timeline to get units built. O’Brien and her colleague said the partnership focused on homeownership as its initial strategy to promote wealth building for local families, but added that the group is pursuing a potential low‑income housing tax credit (LIHTC) project that would produce rental units if site control and developer capacity can be secured. O’Brien said Taos Housing Partnership is actively looking at sites and that tax‑credit projects are complex and take time to place on a developer’s schedule.

The presentation also described a media and community engagement campaign that produced short videos with local leaders to explain “why housing matters.” O’Brien said 34 people were interviewed and the material was edited into about five short videos for targeted distribution. She said the partnership is working with Project Moxie (Jen Lopez) under contract to provide technical assistance.

On governance and staffing, O’Brien read the board roster: Catherine Hummel (chair), Luis Reyes (vice chair), Leticia Pacheco (secretary/treasurer), Mark Goldman, Christina Ortez, Dawn Singer and Jesse Hook. She said staffing would expand in early 2025, that the partnership is searching for office space and that operational sustainability is a priority.

Council members discussed coordination with town and county efforts, the town’s RFP for housing services and timing for an award. Manager Martinez told council the RFPs closed in November and staff expect to bring award recommendations back around January 2025. O’Brien recommended continued coordination so developers see a predictable pipeline and indicated several developers have contacted the partnership expressing interest if financing and site control can be demonstrated.

The partnership clarified that if land is donated or infrastructure provided by the town or county, the subsidy needs for each project fall, and layered financing (employer, foundation, local matching) is expected rather than a single source paying the whole subsidy.

Council members acknowledged the work to date and encouraged faster timelines where possible; O’Brien and council agreed to continued coordination going into 2025.