LAS VEGAS, N.M., June 25, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Supportive Housing Coalition of New Mexico (SHC-NM) broke ground today on a 15-unit permanent, supportive housing project in Las Vegas. The project is designed to provide affordable housing to citizens of Las Vegas, who have struggled with homelessness and behavioral health issues.

Vista Gallinas will consist of four, one-story buildings with a courtyard and community building clustered on a two-acre site. The community building will contain a laundry room, a unisex accessible restroom, an office, and a multipurpose room, which may be used by residents for meetings and by service providers and community groups for neighborhood functions. There will be 14 one-bedroom units and one two-bedroom unit for an on-site residential manager. On-site management will promote resident safety during the day and evening hours. Located on Ridge Runner Road, Vista Gallinas is strategically located in close proximity to a major access road, government offices, commercial shopping areas, restaurants, and social and community service agencies.

"This project will meet critical community needs for affordable housing," said Lt. Gov. Diane Denish. "As Chair of the Mortgage Finance Authority, I know how important affordable housing is to hard working New Mexicans. I also know that affordable housing is the cornerstone of a secure financial foundation for New Mexican families, and this Vista Gallinas project is a great step in the right direction for the future of Las Vegas."

The $2,120,575 project was designed by Autotroph Design of Santa Fe and the general contractor is Pavilion Construction of Albuquerque and Portland. The project is being financed by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the New Mexico Mortgage Finance Authority, Enterprise Community Partners, and the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas. Community 1st Bank Las Vegas provided substantial assistance in financing the land acquisition.

"We are pleased to partner with Community 1st Bank Las Vegas in providing a $135,000 Affordable Housing Program Grant to Vista Gallinas," said Greg Hettrick, Director of Community Investment for FHLB Dallas. "The Supportive Housing Coalition of New Mexico is an excellent provider of affordable housing in New Mexico. The Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas is pleased to be a part of the development of the project."

The New Mexico Behavioral Health Collaborative supported this effort by providing SHC-NM with capacity building funds. "We were pleased to partner in this effort knowing how great the need is for supportive housing in our state, and how important an affordable home with support services can be to people who struggle with behavioral health issues," said Pam Hyde, Human Services Department Secretary and co-chair of the Collaborative.

"Supportive housing" refers to combining homes that are affordable with supportive services to the residents. Research has shown that it is the single most effective way of ending and preventing homelessness, particularly for people with disabilities and special needs. Collaborating partners in the provision of supportive service for the project include Samaritan House and the Behavioral Health Institute.

"The shortage of affordable housing in Las Vegas has been a problem for years. The SHC and their partners are to be commended for their commitment to Vista Gallinas and Las Vegas in starting to fix this problem," said Keith Tucker, President of Community 1st Bank Las Vegas.

"Enterprise Community Partners is pleased to have been able to support the development of Vista Gallinas and the activities of the Supportive Housing Coalition of New Mexico. Vista Gallinas will be a great example of how creative development of affordable housing can be achieved in rural, New Mexico communities," said Ed Rosenthal Director of Enterprise Community Partners' Rural and Native American Initiative.

"We believe this project will help address a significant gap in the city's affordable housing stock and we're confident that these beautiful garden style rental homes will be something that the entire community will be proud of," said SHC-NM Executive Director Mark Allison. "Because of these features, as well as the excellent location and the beautiful design, we hope to change the public's perception about what 'affordable' housing is and can be."

Based in Albuquerque, the Supportive Housing Coalition of New Mexico is a statewide, nonprofit housing organization incorporated in 1996 that develops, owns and manages a variety of affordable supportive housing options for homeless and near homeless individuals who suffer from behavioral health disabilities. SHC-NM's community partners offer a comprehensive range of supportive services that, in combination, optimizes resident's health, recovery, independence and housing stability. The Coalition has assisted over 1,000 families and individuals avoid and escape homelessness. For more information visit www.thehousingcoalition.org.

CONTACT:  Supportive Housing Coalition of New Mexico
          Mark Allison, Executive Director
          505-239-0906
          mallisonshc-nm@nmia.com

          Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas
          Corporate Communications
          (214) 441-8445
          www.fhlb.com