U.S. Representatives Melanie Stansbury and Gabriel “Gabe” Vasquezannounced $16 million in federal grants earmarked for 28 nonprofit organizations across New Mexico that offer services to homeless individuals and families.  The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development will administer the grants. Vasquez, who represents New Mexico’s 2nd Congressional District, told reporters during a press conference […]

U.S. Representatives Melanie Stansbury and Gabriel “Gabe” Vasquezannounced $16 million in federal grants earmarked for 28 nonprofit organizations across New Mexico that offer services to homeless individuals and families. 

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development will administer the grants. Vasquez, who represents New Mexico’s 2nd Congressional District, told reporters during a press conference in Albuquerque that the grant opportunity will enable the nonprofit recipients to budget accordingly but that there is no current timeline for when the funds will be distributed. 

Both are Democrats.

“We’ll have to follow up with HUD,” he said.

Stansbury, who represents the state’s 1st Congressional District, spoke of some of the problems of housing and why there are critical affordable housing shortages. She said one issue occurring nationwide is the ability of private corporations to buy up low-income housing to turn the homes into investment properties or for use as rentals through platforms such as AirBnB.

“Housing is a human right and should be available for everyone. They should not have the ability to buy up affordable housing and use it for profit,” Stansbury said.

Stansbury said the Biden administration and Democratic members of Congress are trying to address the issue. She said that a problem occurring in Albuquerque is an increased number of unit owners who are unwilling to allow families who have housing vouchers to use them and move in. 

Stansbury said that Democratic state Reps. Andrea Romero, of Santa Fe, and Angelica Rubio, of Las Cruces have sponsored bills in the New Mexico Legislature that would prohibit discrimination on housing vouchers. Stansbury previously served in the state House.

Stansbury said that the federal grants are a part of a larger effort to address homelessness. She said that the state has appropriated what she called “historic amounts of state funding” to support building new housing while these federal grants will go to nonprofits in New Mexico that work with people experiencing homelessness to serve their more immediate needs.

“Far too many New Mexicans have been denied equal access to affordable housing, which hurts every community across the state. That’s why I am thrilled that New Mexico will receive $16 million from the Department of Housing and Urban Development to help end homelessness. This investment will grant 28 organizations in New Mexico the ability to help even more people find permanent housing and grant them crucial access to programs they need to survive,” Stansbury said through a news release. 

Vasquez said through the release that the federal grant funding will “get us one step closer to ending the homelessness crisis that has affected our communities for far too long.”

“And let me be clear – I have heard loud and clear from New Mexicans across my district about the gravity of this situation and the urgent need for short-term solutions and relief,” Vasquez said through the news release.

The 28 organizations receiving funds are:

• $163,211 for Albuquerque Health Care for the Homeless, Inc.
• $1,067,213 for Catholic Charities
• $3,591,847 for City of Albuquerque
• $229,048 for Cuidando Los Niños 
• $325,516 for High Desert Housing
• $108,858 for New Mexico Coalition to End Homelessness
• $535,524 for Supportive Housing Coalition of New Mexico
• $375,422 for TenderLove Community Center
• $53,915 for Abode Inc
• $632,625 for Battered Families Services, Inc.
• $121,063 for Casa Milagro Inc.
• $139,702 for Community Against Violence, Inc.
• $372,924 for County of Sandoval
• $628,833 for DreamTree Project, Inc.
• $325,276 for El Camino Real Housing Authority
• $128,661 for El Refugio, Inc.
• $940,816 for La Casa, Inc.
• $1,125,523 for Mesilla Valley Community of Hope
• $1,325,877 for New Mexico Coalition to End Homelessness
• $382,677 for Saint Elizabeth Shelter Corporation
• $269,676 for San Juan County Partnership
• $158,403 for San Juan Safe Communities Initiative, Inc.
• $340,617 for Santa Fe Community Housing Trust
• $237,479 for SPIN Supporting People In Need
• $75,378 for Supportive Housing Coalition of New Mexico
• $953,769 for The Life Link
• $498,370 for Valencia Shelter Services for Victims of Domestic Violence
• $1,165,192 for Youth Shelters and Family Services

SANTA FE, N.M. — The New Mexico Tax and Revenue Department is warning home and property owners about a scam involving fraudulent letters.

Officials say they’ve received reports about these letters going out to owners who are delinquent on their taxes. The letters demand owners call a 1-800 number by a certain date. Or else, they say, the state will seize their property.

Officials say they are not from the state Taxation and Revenue Department. However, Ira Pearson, the director of the department’s property division, says they look pretty convincing.

“It does look like an official document. It comes out and, if you’re a property owner, obviously you receive this and you’re scared someone’s gonna come seize your property. That is not coming from the State of New Mexico. Or any type of government entity,” Pearson said.

They say anyone with an outstanding property tax debt should reach out to the treasurer’s office in the county where their property is located. They also recommend reaching out to the department at 505-827-0883. That’s only if the debt is three or more years past due and was turned over to the state for collection.

“We will walk them through the process of getting their delinquent property tax paid,” Pearson said.

So far, only one person in Valencia County has received the letter. However, Pearson says it’s likely not the only one out there.

“I would imagine if it went to one it went to many of them,” Pearson said.

Property scams are common but this one is different, Pearson says.

“This was talking about actually seizing property. Other ones that we’ve seen, talk about helping them set up payment plans. They talk about walking them through the process or advising them,” Pearson said.

If you believe you’ve encountered fraudulent activity, reach out to the department’s fraud hotline at 1-866-457-6789. You can also email the department at Tax.Fraud@tax.nm.gov.

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — After a week on the road and the Savannah Bananas coming in, the Albuquerque Isotopes are taking back The Lab.

Starting Tuesday, the Isotopes are on a 12-game, 13-day homestand. They’re kicking it off with $1 hot dog night. Then, Thursday is the first matinee game. Forest Stulting of the Isotopes says they won’t call your boss if you dip in for that 11 a.m. game.

Friday and Saturday will feature fireworks while Sunday is Bark in the Park.

Walker Buehler will play in some of the games as well.

Learn more details in the video above and here.