Homegrown Housing Program Launches
Local teams begin exploring community-driven affordable housing projects
Santa Fe, NM — Anchorum Health Foundation, in partnership with Project Moxie, has officially launched the Homegrown Housing program, am initiative supporting community teams as they work to design and advance affordable housing solutions tailored to their local needs.
Teams from Colfax County, Guadalupe County, McKinley County, Nambe Pueblo, San Miguel County, Santa Fe County, and Taos County gathered in person this week for the program’s kickoff. Over the coming months, each team will receive expert guidance and peer support to bring forward housing projects that strengthen stability, health, and opportunity in their communities. Some projects will also be eligible for predevelopment funding.
“Housing is a challenge in nearly every community across northern New Mexico. That’s why we launched Homegrown Housing with a focus on the predevelopment phase where so many promising projects get stuck,” said Jenny Parks, Senior Vice President of Strategic Philanthropy at Anchorum. “By partnering with teams across this region, we can help get feasible projects off the ground and build a network of communities learning from one another along the way.”
Homegrown Housing supports regional teams as they explore what’s possible when it comes to creating more housing in the communities. Whether it’s new construction, repurposing existing buildings, or trying something entirely new, the program is a chance for teams across northern New Mexico to learn with and from each other. Participants receive hands-on training and one-on-one coaching, as well as opportunities to learn from experts and peers across the region.
“I’m a realtor and I’ve seen so many of our Native people that don’t have housing and can’t afford housing and I want to bring solutions to some of those issues,” said participant Deborah Torres of the Than Povi Foundation. “This is really helping me understand from concept to end, what it looks like and how we get there.”
“The idea is to make connections regionally and hopefully get some answers that actually work,” said participant Tammy Parker from the City of Gallup’s Housing Program. “I’d like to connect with people who can get things done in places that have addressed some of our problems.”
Project Moxie, a Colorado-based consulting firm with deep experience in housing and New Mexico, is leading the program’s design and facilitation. Through a series of workshops and hands-on support, Project Moxie will help teams explore feasibility and how to turn ideas into actionable housing projects. Housing New Mexico is also contributing to the program’s content.
Anchorum Health Foundation is dedicated to improving the conditions that have the greatest influence on the health and people in our region. We are committing our resources to strengthening community-based partners tackling critical local issues. For more information, visit anchorum.org.
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