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Las Cruces council approves HUD consolidated plan and donates city lots for affordable and supportive housing
Summary
Council adopted the 2026–2030 consolidated plan and 2026 action plan, approved $600,000 in TelShore grants to nonprofits, and approved land dispositions donating parcels to Tierra del Sol and New Wind Inc. for affordable and supportive housing.
At its May 4 meeting, the Las Cruces City Council adopted the HUD-required 2026–2030 consolidated plan and the 2026 action plan, approved Health-Related Public Services (TelShore) grant allocations, and authorized multiple land dispositions intended to expand affordable and supportive housing.
Natalie Green summarized the consolidated plan and analysis of impediments to fair housing choice, describing public outreach that included more than 10,000 postcards to low-to-moderate income (LMI) census tracts and a 30-day public comment period. The plan identifies five priority goals for the next five years: increase affordable-housing supply, preserve existing housing, enhance economic well-being, improve infrastructure, and prevent and reduce homelessness. Staff said about $1.6 million in CDBG and HOME entitlement funding is available for the action plan and noted program income from prior loan repayments.
Separately, Sylvia Caldera presented a recommendation to allocate $600,000 in interest from the TelShore fund to 18 nonprofit agencies (roughly $33,333 per agency per year over a two‑year cycle) to support health-related public services; the council approved that allocation following committee recommendation and discussion about application criteria and committee membership.
On land disposition, the council approved ordinance 3112 to donate a city-acquired parcel at 705 5th Street to New Wind Inc. (doing business as Crosstown Ministries) for supportive housing for women; New Wind representatives said they have preliminary funding and contractor donations to proceed. The council also approved ordinance 3113 donating four city-owned vacant parcels to Tierra del Sol Housing Corporation for infill affordable housing development; staff will file land-use restriction agreements to preserve affordability.
Councilors asked about competitiveness of grant awards, committee membership and criteria for awarding funds; staff said the competitive application, guidebook and committee recommendations guided allocations and that the application process will be adjusted as needed in future cycles. Each ordinance and the consolidated-plan resolution were approved by roll-call votes.
