NNMC News:

ESPAÑOLA — Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham announced the second round of her office’s Casa Connection Grant Program Tuesday, which includes a $700,000 award to Northern New Mexico College (NNMC) to renovate buildings on the El Rito campus to develop affordable housing for students, faculty and staff.

“Student homelessness and lack of access to basic needs is a huge problem facing our students,” NNMC President Hector Balderas said. “Governor Lujan Grisham is addressing this critical need, and this assistance will keep our students on a bright pathway to college graduation and economic stability.” 

The Casa Connection Grant Program was created by Gov. Lujan Grisham in 2022 to address homelessness and remove barriers to affordable housing in communities across the state. The program provides funding to local and tribal governments and their nonprofit partners to purchase and renovate properties to be used as housing for New Mexicans experiencing homelessness.

The NNMC proposal aims to address the pressing need for affordable housing in Rio Arriba County. By implementing targeted strategies and initiatives, the goal is to improve housing affordability, increase the supply of affordable units and enhance the overall well-being of Northern students, faculty, staff and community members that support the college. 

The New Mexico Basic Needs Insecurity Survey, conducted by the Basic Needs Project at the University of New Mexico, reveals that an alarming 62% of student, faculty and staff respondents from Northern reported experiencing housing insecurity.

Addressing the housing needs of students, faculty and staff is crucial for their success and well-being and to advancing the educational mission of NNMC. In an effort to mitigate housing insecurity, Northern is working to increase affordable housing options and create resources for housing assistance that can help mitigate the impact of housing insecurity on our community.