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Colfax County backs Raton group's $3M bid to build 12 senior-targeted homes
Summary
The commission approved a letter of support for a $3 million federal grant application from the Raton Community Development Collaborative to purchase land and build two sixplexes (12 one-bedroom units) restricted to buyers aged 55+ with incomes at or below 120% of AMI.
Paul Jenkins, co-founder and president of the Raton Community Development Collaborative, sought the commission's letter of support for a $3 million congressionally directed spending request to construct senior-targeted housing in the city of Raton.
"Our research indicates that the city of Raton and Colfax County have some of the highest concentrations of senior households in New Mexico," Jenkins said. He told the commission that local housing and demographic data show 80 to 85% of the senior population fall below 120% of area median income (AMI). Jenkins reported a median household income in Raton of about $52,000, and described the project as the purchase of land and construction of two sixplex single‑bedroom townhomes for a total of 12 units to be limited to residents aged 55 and older.
Commissioners asked about identified properties; Jenkins said three possible locations (each an acre or more) are in negotiation and that designs would be single-level for accessibility. The commission voted to provide a letter of support for the group's grant application.
The county manager noted regional programs already supporting senior housing and mobile-home replacement but said available funding is constrained. The letter of support does not commit county funds; it affirms the commission's endorsement of the project's grant application.
