Dof1a Ana County cites contribution to Petrie Apartments as local housing shortage grows

Dof1a Ana County contributed funding to the first phase of the Petrie Apartments as local leaders framed the project as an early step toward addressing a worsening shortage of affordable housing, an agency official said.

"There's a a a huge shortage of affordable housing in Dof1a Ana County," an agency official said, adding that the county was a contributor to additional funding for the project's first phase. The official said local government can partner with the City of Las Cruces "to create apartments that are like this, that are safe, that are high quality, that are close to schools." The official did not specify the dollar amount of the county contribution or the full mix of funding sources.

The official framed Petrie Apartments as part of a strategy to place people into housing and "set them on a path for having secure futures," emphasizing long-term stability and proximity to schools as benefits for families.

A resident who spoke about living in the new units said the development has improved personal stability. "I feel like it definitely gives a sense of self, especially, like, nowadays whenever, like, rent tends to be really expensive," the resident said, adding that having an affordable, private place to live matters.

The announcement described the project as an initial or "beginning" stage for broader local efforts to expand affordable housing. The meeting record includes no formal vote or adoption of a new policy; the county contribution was presented as an existing support commitment, and specifics about the funding mix and any next steps, including timelines or additional funding amounts, were not specified.