Regional Housing Forum
On Thursday, April 9, 2026, at the Ruidoso Convention Center in Ruidoso, Housing New Mexico will host a free one-day Regional Housing Forum with Housing New Mexico staff, partners, and service providers for housing professionals working in southern New Mexico.
Registration/RSVP
There is no cost to attend, but your RSVP helps us plan event communication, meals, and room layouts. Secure your spot now by clicking the RSVP and filling out the form, and you’ll be registered for the event. Feel free to forward the invitation to housing colleagues in southern New Mexico who may be interested in attending.
Meals
We will serve breakfast and lunch. Lunch will be catered by Casa Blanca New Mexican Restaurant in Ruidoso.
Room Block & Hotel Information
MCM Elegante Lodge & Suites next door to the convention center is offering a discounted room rate of $139/night for forum attendees. Use the reference code Housing New Mexico when making reservations: 575-258-5500.
Schedule
The forum will include three group plenary sessions, as well as morning and afternoon concurrent sessions.
9 am—Housing Strategy Breakfast
Housing New Mexico Senior Director of Policy & Planning, Robyn Powell, presents its 2026 Housing Strategy, with an introduction from Executive Director/CEO, Isidoro Hernandez.
10:15-11:30 am—Morning Concurrent Sessions
- Preventing Homelessness—John Garcia, Housing New Mexico Assistant Director of Community Development, and Chief Housing Officer, Donna Maestas-De Vries, guide a panel of homeless assistance program providers including Alianza, Mesilla Valley Community of Hope, and Grammy’s House. Programs covered will include Linkages, Rapid Rehousing and Homeless Prevention, Emergency Homeless Assistance Program, and Housing Opportunities for People with Aids.
- Housing Policy & Legislative Update—Robyn Powell provides an update on state housing legislation from the 2026 session, with policy updates and a forecast for the future.
- Single-Family Development Programs & Initiatives—Housing New Mexico’s Development Loan Manager, Joshua Howe, discusses programs that focus on developing single-family housing statewide.
- Homeownership & Mortgage Opportunities—Housing New Mexico’s flagship programs for homeownership: mortgage and lending pros will discuss its longtime homeownership programs, including down payment assistance for low- and moderate-income families and loan programs for first- and second-time homebuyers.
11:45 am—Lunch with Local Leaders
Three mayors of southern New Mexico cities converse with Housing New Mexico Executive Director/CEO, Isidoro Hernandez, on housing issues specific to the region. Las Cruces Mayor Eric Enriquez, Ruidoso Mayor Lynn Crawford, and Carlsbad Mayor Rick Lopez join us for this local leader roundtable over catered lunch.
1:00-2:15 pm—Afternoon Concurrent Sessions
- Affordable Housing Act—Stephanie Gonzales, Housing New Mexico Research & Development Manager, gives an overview of the Affordable Housing Act and answers questions from attendees related to the Act and how to leverage this tool in your community.
- Rehabilitation & Weatherization—Housing New Mexico Assistant Director of Community Development, John Garcia, and Weatherization Program Manager II, David Gutierrez, discuss rehabilitation programs including Restoring Our Communities, Home Improvement Program, HOME Rehabilitation Program, and the Energy$mart Weatherization Program. There will be a quiz!
- Rental Development Housing New Mexico’s Director of Housing Development, George Maestas, leads a discussion of programs for funding of affordable, multifamily rental housing.
- Lender/REALTOR Market Trends will also be explored in an afternoon focus group for lenders & REALTORs.
2:30-3:30 pm—Plenary Closing: Local Affordable Housing Highlights & Raffle
Housing New Mexico highlights recent local projects and highlights from southern New Mexico partners and service providers. Attendees with project highlights will also be encouraged to share. As we wrap, we’ll raffle some items for attendees—must be present to win!
Speakers:
- Jesse Hernandez, Alianza
- Veronika Molina, Southwestern Regional Housing and Community Development Corporation
- Dr. Celina Bryant, Grammy's House
- Nicole Martinez, Mesilla Valley Community of Hope
- Mayor Rick Lopez, City of Carlsbad
- Mayor Lynn Crawford, City of Ruidoso
- Mayor Eric Enriquez, City of Las Cruces
- Isidoro Hernandez, Housing New Mexico
- Donna Maestas-De Vries, Housing New Mexico
- Robyn Powell, Housing New Mexico
- Stephanie Gonzales, Housing New Mexico
- George Maestas, Housing New Mexico
- John Garcia, Housing New Mexico
- David Gutierrez, Housing New Mexico
- Joshua Howe, Housing New Mexico
- Rene Acuña, Housing New Mexico
Questions? Please email marketing@housingnm.org.
