Bernalillo County announced it has purchased Poblano Place Apartments, an 84-unit complex on 4th Street, and outlined a county-led initiative to move people off the streets into permanent homes.

District 1 Commissioner Barbara Baca has set a goal to place 1,000 people experiencing homelessness into housing by next summer, the presentation said. County speakers described the broader campaign—referred to in the presentation as "BernCo Builds Communities"—as an initiative to expand available and affordable homes and revitalize neighborhoods.

County presenters said the Poblano Place property, about two years old and recently listed for sale, was acquired "for nearly $18,000,000." According to the presentation, current residents pay monthly rents ranging from $1,395 to $1,800 and the county, now acting as landlord, does not plan to raise those rents "anytime soon." A county spokesperson in the presentation framed the purchase as driven by housing outcomes rather than profit.

Resident Tish Mendez, who said she moved into Poblano Place in October with her 7-year-old daughter Izzy, praised the complex and the rent stabilization. "I actually really love living here. It's very quiet, really peaceful," Mendez said, adding that 24-hour maintenance and stabilized rents should make "a huge difference for the community."

Speakers credited an appropriation from the New Mexico Legislature for enabling the purchase. A county representative said the county and city worked with the legislature to place projects in the appropriate funding pot to maximize investments and demonstrate strategies for addressing homelessness and housing needs in the city and county.

County officials said they will continue to expand affordable housing opportunities and pursue further solutions; no vote, ordinance number, or formal motion was recorded in the transcript provided. The presentation closed with speakers emphasizing ongoing commitment to serving families and communities.