Latest news with #Linkages
Yahoo
25-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
New Mexico Housing opens up loans to landlords to incentivize affordable housing
New Mexico's housing agency is offering thousands of dollars in forgivable loans to landlords who agree to fix their properties and lease them out at an affordable rate to people who receive housing assistance. (Photo via Getty Images) New Mexico's housing agency is offering forgivable loans to private landowners who agree to improve their rental properties and lease them to tenants at an affordable rate for five years. Housing New Mexico on Monday announced a pilot program to make more affordable rental properties available for tenants on rental assistance by offering forgivable loans to landlords to improve them. The Rehab-2-Rental program is offering forgivable loans of up to $25,000 to landlords who currently lease or agree to lease their properties to renters who hold tenant-based housing vouchers like Section 8, Linkages and local government rental assistance, according to a news release. The landlords would use the loan money to pay for needed improvements to rental units to make them ready to rent, the news release states. Housing New Mexico's Board of Directors in February approved $656,000 for the program. According to the notice of funding, landlords must commit to offering the lease at a rate affordable to the tenant for five years, and must commit to meeting the real estate inspection standards set by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. 'Whether it's single-family homes or rental properties, New Mexico is in great need of affordable housing for its residents,' Housing New Mexico Executive Director and CEO Isidoro Hernandez said in a statement. 'This program is a win-win in that it will help landlords with funding to bring rentals up to standards and will provide more opportunities for affordable housing in the state.' According to the news release, private companies, public housing authorities and others are eligible to apply by submitting rehabilitation projects on behalf of private landlords. There will be an informational webinar for applicants online at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, April 2. The link to the webinar is here. It will be recorded for those who can't attend.
Yahoo
25-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Housing New Mexico launches program aiming to increase affordable housing
NEW MEXICO (KRQE) — A program aiming to increase affordable housing is coming to the Land of Enchantment. Housing New Mexico has partnered with the New Mexico Department of Finance and Administration to launch 'Rehab-2-Rental.' The board of directors for Housing New Mexico approved the Notice of Funding Availability for $656,000 at a February meeting. One major goal is to create higher-quality home options for tenants using housing-based vouchers, such as Section 8 and Linkages, as well as municipal and county rental assistance. The program offers forgivable loans of up to $25,000 per unit to landlords either leasing or agreeing to lease their properties to housing voucher holders. Housing New Mexico says these loans will help with necessary improvements to the rental units. Albuquerque mayor files complaint against city council over AFR staffing ordinance 'Whether it's single-family homes or rental properties, New Mexico is in great need of affordable housing for its residents,' Housing New Mexico Executive Director and CEO Isidoro Hernandez said in a news release on Tuesday. 'This program is a win-win in that it will help landlords with funding to bring rentals up to standards and will provide more opportunities for affordable housing in the state.' Housing partners are currently being invited to submit applications to become service providers. Those service providers will work with public housing authorities and other governmental agencies offering vouchers to submit house rehabilitation projects for private landlords. Eligible applicants should have experience and knowledge of housing assistance and property rehabilitation, including: Non-profit organizations For-profit organizations Public housing authorities Regional housing authorities Tribal governments Tribal housing agencies Applications are welcome to join a webinar on Wednesday, April 2 at 11 a.m. More information can be found online. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
20-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Opportunity House leader announces retirement
After more than three decades at its helm, Modesto Fiume has announced he will be retiring as president and CEO of Opportunity House. Fiume informed the board of directors of the Reading shelter about his plans to retire in May, and a statement issued by Opportunity House revealed Thursday that he will leave the post on June 30. Alyssa Bushkie, Opportunity House's current chief operations officer, will replace Fiume as president and CEO. Fiume said in Thursday's statement that he informed the board about his planned retirement early in order to provide ample time for a successor to be found, later adding that he is pleased with the selection of Bushkie. 'Alyssa was the COO of Opportunity House,' he said. 'Since joining us in 2022, she has been instrumental in the growth and expansion or our programs and services.' Fiume was hired to lead Opportunity House in October 1994, and has guided it through a transition from a homeless shelter for single adults to a multiservice agency. 'The board of directors expresses its gratitude to Modesto Fiume for his leadership, hard work and many years of service as the president and CEO of the Opportunity House as he retires at the end of June 2025,' Thursday's statement said. 'He has led the organization through 30 years of strategic growth, moving the Opportunity House from only a shelter to the many life-changing programs such as the housing program, case management, the early learning center and the OppShop, to name a few. 'These programs have had and will continue to have a lasting positive impact on the lives of the people Opportunity House serves.' Fiume expressed gratitude for being able to play a lead role in Opportunity House's growth. 'It's amazing to look back and see the impact this organization has had on the thousands of men, women and children who have benefitted from walking through our doors,' he said in the statement. One of the biggest addition Opportunity House saw under Fiume's leadership was the creation of the Second Street Learning Center. Responding to a need in the community for child care, the center was opened in October 1996. 'That expanded Opportunity House's mission to include the needs of low-income families in the community,' Fiume said. 'Today, the Second Street Learning Center is a Keystone 4 STAR facility that recognizes the highest quality of our early learning programs, and houses three PreK Counts classrooms.' Fiume said he has also been proud of Opportunity House's work to address a need for more affordable housing in the community. The Linkages program, Opportunity House's first supportive housing program for families, began in 1997, followed by the New Beginnings program the following year. In 2012, Opportunity House began a partnership with the Oregon-based St. Vincent DePaul Society of Eugene to open an online retail business selling clothing and books. The success of that program led to the creation of the OppShop thrift store. 'The program created jobs, reduced waste in the landfill and generated revenue to reinvest back in the organization's mission,' Fiume said. Bushkie will look to build on Fiume's legacy and continue to move Opportunity House forward, Thursday's statement said. Bushkie is a Berks native who holds degrees from Penn State Berks University and St. Joseph's University. Before joining Opportunity House she served as director of operations for the YMCA of Reading and Berks County. 'I am confident that Opportunity House will continue to grow under Alyssa's leadership,' Fiume said.
