ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Housing New Mexico representatives presented 14 awards to leaders in the state’s affordable housing industry at the 2025 New Mexico Housing Summit Friday, Sept. 19 at Hotel Albuquerque.
Housing New Mexico Executive Director/CEO Isidoro Hernandez provided closing remarks at the awards ceremony.
“The affordable housing needs in our state are endless, but it is important to recognize and celebrate our accomplishments,” said Hernandez. “The work we do is challenging but also very gratifying. I know we are all committed to our mission, and we have the right ingredients to succeed – we have the right partners with the desire to continue making an enduring impact to those we serve. We know that housing is the foundation for strong families and communities, and it provides stability, growth and hope for the future. Together with our partners, we make housing possible.”
Housing New Mexico Chief Housing Officer Donna Maestas-De Vries and Chief Lending Officer Jeff Payne presented the awards Friday, as the three-day summit came to an end.
The following 2025 awards were presented:
Outstanding Lending Partner: Waterstone Mortgage
Waterstone Mortgage Corporation was honored for its top-down, year-in and year-out commitment to affordable lending. Waterstone has developed and implemented policies, processes and practices that encourage its employees to be effective and successful in the affordable financing arena. Waterstone’s cumulative positive impact to homebuyers throughout New Mexico is unrivaled.
Top Lender: John Gabaldon
John Gabaldon from Waterstone Mortgage Corporation earned this recognition based on his long-time, recurring pattern of achievement as top lender for several consecutive years. Gabaldon’s lending career dates back to 2004, and he has been with Waterstone since 2018. Gabaldon’s and his team’s concern for providing the best financing alternatives for their clients has resulted in them becoming experts at originating Housing New Mexico mortgage loans. His consistent hard work and unparalleled achievement have garnered Gabaldon this highest level of recognition.
Top Metro Lender: Marty Padilla
A Waterstone Mortgage Corporation loan officer based in Albuquerque, Marty Padilla closed the most loans in the previous calendar year, behind Gabaldon. His experience in the mortgage industry dates back to 1992, and he has been with Waterstone since 2019. He consistently demonstrates an unwavering commitment to helping New Mexicans achieve their dreams of homeownership. Padilla’s practical mindset, along with his long-term industry experience, contributes to his ability to help borrowers overcome obstacles and find solutions.
Top Rural Lender: Lindsay Rollins
Lindsay Rollins from Bell Bank in Clovis received the Top Rural Lender Award, which is awarded to the non-Albuquerque-based loan officer that closed the most Housing New Mexico loans during the previous calendar year. She uses her experience, knowledge and “can-do” attitude to find solutions and help every borrower. Her career in the mortgage industry began in 1998, and she has been with Bell Bank in Clovis since 2018. Her heartfelt passion is to help homebuyers achieve their goals in the most affordable way possible.
Developer of the Year: City of Las Cruces
The City of Las Cruces was honored for its groundbreaking role in developing Amador Crossing Apartments. This Permanent Supportive Housing project will provide 49 homes for individuals who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness, along with on-site wraparound services. As one of the first local governments in New Mexico to directly develop such housing, the City of Las Cruces led the project from concept to construction, overcoming significant challenges to serve a high-needs population. The leadership in Las Cruces has made a clear commitment to putting housing first for all residents. By leveraging federal and state funding, the city is actively increasing the supply of affordable housing.
Outstanding Tribal Partner: Red Feather Development Group
Housing New Mexico’s Tribal partners are integral to delivering affordable housing services in their communities. Red Feather Development Group was honored for its exceptional first year as a weatherization partner serving the Navajo Nation in New Mexico. Despite limited prior experience, Red Feather exceeded expectations by completing 26 homes—nearly four times its original goal—and managing a 290% increase in funding and workload. Through strong community outreach, culturally responsive client education and effective program promotion, Red Feather Development has brought unprecedented access to energy efficiency assistance in an underserved area. Its high-quality work, deep community engagement and commitment to honoring tradition, have set a new standard for Tribal weatherization efforts and earned national attention.
Outstanding New Partner (two awards in this category)
HagermanForward Inc.
HagermanFoward was honored for its innovative Rehab-2-Rental program, which transforms distressed properties into quality, affordable rental homes for housing voucher-holders. By tackling vacancy, blight and rental shortages, the program stabilizes communities, supports equity and promotes long-term affordability. HagermanForward’s scalable model—now replicated statewide—combines efficient rehabilitation, community engagement and local job creation, setting a new standard for housing innovation in New Mexico.
New Mexico Ramp Project
New Mexico Ramp Project was the very first awardee under Housing New Mexico’s Housing Innovation Program. The New Mexico Ramp Project has already made a life-changing impact for over 250 New Mexicans across the state by improving accessibility in their homes. The program is volunteer-led, and a large amount of the work is completed by volunteers across the state.
Outstanding Community Partner: Barrett Foundation, Inc.
Barrett Foundation was recognized for its exceptional leadership and responsiveness as an organization. Barrett Foundation offers emergency shelter, transitional and long-term housing and individualized support services, making the foundation an invaluable asset to the community. The staff consistently goes above and beyond—maintaining compliance, actively collaborating and prioritizing client care and continuous learning. The team’s professionalism, adaptability and commitment to Housing New Mexico’s core values set Barrett Foundation apart as a truly outstanding partner. For 40 years, Barrett House and Barrett Foundation have been a driving force in the effort to end homelessness for women and children.
Multifamily Project of the Year Award: PAH! Hiland Plaza
Developed by Sol Housing, PAH! Hiland Plaza was honored for its groundbreaking design focused on the Deaf, DeafBlind, DeafPlus and Hard of Hearing communities. As one of fewer than five such communities in the nation, it features American Sign Language-fluent staff, visual alert systems, videophone entry and a fully accessible design. Built through a unique partnership with the Deaf Culture Center of New Mexico, PAH! Hiland Plaza sets a new standard for inclusive, supportive housing. The development has been honored nationally with the 2024 Affordable Housing Finance Reader's Choice Finalist, the 2024 ULI Terwilliger Innovation Award and the 2024 Audrey Nelson Award (National Community Development Association).
Housing Innovation Award: North Central New Mexio Economic Development District
North Central New Mexico Economic Development District (NCNMEDD) was honored for its work implementing the Senior Home Repair Program and the Workforce Integration Network Housing (WIN) Program, made possible by Housing New Mexico’s Housing Innovation Program funding. In coordination with the New Mexico non-metro Area Agency on Aging, the Senior Home Repair program allows low-income seniors to safely age in place by providing critical home repairs and accessibility measures. In coordination with WIN, a workforce training and reintegration program, NCNMEDD has provided housing for WIN participants, supporting workforce development and housing for at risk populations in Northern New Mexico. NCNMEDD has integrated and innovated its programs to meet the needs of the people they serve.
Lifetime Achievement Award (three awards in this category)
Carol Sugarman, CCD, LLC
Carol Sugarman was recognized for her decades of leadership in affordable housing development and finance. At Housing New Mexico, she helped shape the Qualified Allocation Plan and set lasting underwriting standards. She has since guided affordable housing developers through complex Low-Income Housing Tax Credit and bond deals, leveraging public funds to support major projects across Rio Rancho and Albuquerque. Her expertise, integrity and impactful work have earned her wide respect across the industry.
Rose Silva-Smith, YES Housing, Inc.
Rose Silva-Smith was recognized for 30 years of dedicated service in real estate asset management. Her expertise spans every stage of development—from pre-construction market analysis and budgeting to post-construction oversight and compliance. As a key leader at YES Housing, she has played an essential role in shaping successful housing communities through strategic planning, fiscal stewardship and regulatory excellence.
Rose Garcia, Tierra Del Sol Housing Corporation
Rose Garcia has dedicated over four decades to building stronger communities through affordable housing. From humble beginnings helping her grandparents’ small business to leading Tierra del Sol, she has been a trailblazer—one of the few women in construction and a powerful advocate for farmworkers and working families. Under her leadership for over 40 years, Tierra del Sol became a nationally recognized organization, improving countless lives across the Southwest.
Housing New Mexico, otherwise known as New Mexico Mortgage Finance Authority (MFA), was created in 1975 by the New Mexico State Legislature to provide quality affordable housing opportunities for all New Mexico residents. As the state’s housing authority, Housing New Mexico uses housing bonds, tax credits and other federal, state and private resources to fund more than 40 housing programs. In addition to funding the construction and rehabilitation of affordable housing and rental properties, Housing New Mexico’s programs include down payment assistance, homelessness prevention and emergency shelter, weatherization services, rental assistance and housing for people with special needs which have provided over 505,000 families with affordable housing and services since its inception.
To learn more about Housing New Mexico, visit housingnm.org.