N.M. housing nonprofit wins $3.5M federal grant to update energy efficiency in buildings

A southern New Mexico nonprofit will receive a $3.5 million federal grant that will facilitate upgrades to their building and for other nonprofits to spend on making their buildings energy-efficient.

The Tierra Del Sol Housing Corporation in Las Cruces is one of nine recipients of $45 million from the U.S. Department of Energy. The program picked nine “prime recipients” who will distribute funds, and manage any programs for smaller “subrecipient” nonprofits.

Tierra Del Sol manages low-income apartments and senior housing across southern New Mexico and far west Texas, provides temporary housing for farmworkers, and constructs low-income housing, according to their website.

Executive Director Rosa Garcia told Source NM that the nonprofit will provide funding to other nonprofits such as programs at Doña Ana Community College, New Mexico State University, faith groups and housing nonprofits in Arizona and Texas to upgrade a total of 17 buildings.

“Each one lays out specific improvements, and then each of us have to match it,” she said.

The money would be used in offices, or in the case of religious organizations, their parish halls or other facilities, Garcia said.

The $3.5 million grant will require a nearly $900,000 match from nonprofits, according to the grant’s website.

Garcia said the organization was waiting on further details from the federal government on when the money will come down, or how much was approved for each organization.

Last year, the nonprofit received $1.6 million in earmarks from U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich for the planning and engineering costs to build 14 low-income entirely electric houses in Columbus, New Mexico.