NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING AND PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD FOR THE DRAFT 2021 ANNUAL ACTION PLAN SECOND SUSBSTANTIAL AMENDMENT

Housing New Mexico and the Department of Finance and Administration, Local Government Division (DFA) are seeking public comment on the proposed drafting of homelessness assistance template to include an Amendment to State of New Mexico 2021 Annual Action Plan. The public comment period will begin on February 15, 2022, and end on March 16, 2022.  A hybrid virtual and in-person public hearing will be held on March 9, 2022, at 8 a.m.

The 2021 Annual Action Plan Second Substantial Amendment is proposed to add in the approved allocation of $19,577,257 specific to Home Investment Partnership Program (HOME) American Rescue Plan (ARP) to provide homelessness assistance through two priorities supportive services and rental development throughout the state.

The 2021 Annual Action Plan is the second annual implementation plan under the State of New Mexico 2020-2024 Consolidated Plan for Housing and Community Development. The Consolidated Plan is a five-year strategic plan that governs the administration of federal funding appropriated for housing and community development activities that benefit low and moderate income persons throughout the State of New Mexico. Such federal funding includes the following programs: HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME), Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG), Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA) and the Housing Trust Fund (HTF).

The draft substantial amendment to the 2021 Annual Action Plan specific to HOME-ARP is available on MFA’s website at:

https://housingnm.org/resources/plans-and-reports/nm-annual-action-plan

and on DFA’s website at:

http://www.nmdfa.state.nm.us/Local_Government.aspx.

If you are unable to download the draft Action Plan, please contact MFA to request a copy (505-843-6880 or toll free 1-800-444-6880). Additionally, the documents can be provided in alternative formats (i.e., Braille/large print, audio tape) for the disabled and may also be translated into Spanish for Limited English Proficient (LEP) Spanish speaking persons, upon request.

 Citizens, interested agencies, and for-profit and nonprofit organizations may attend a virtual or in-person public hearing on March 9, 2022, at 8 a.m. via webcast at https://housing-nm.webex.com/housing-nm/j.php?MTID=m85f87a305d00f3070181950c76acba3f  or in person at MFA’s office to provide comments.

If you are an individual with a disability who is in need of a reader, amplifier, qualified sign language interpreter, or any other form of auxiliary aid or service, please contact either Sonja Unrau at 505-767-2277 or Sherry Stephens 505-767-2250 or toll free 1-800-444-6880; fax: 505-243-3289; e-mail: sunrau@housingnm.org or sstephens@housingnm.org TTY: 1-800-659-8331 for English and 1-800-327-1857 for Spanish; or mail: Housing New Mexico, 344 Fourth St. SW, Albuquerque, NM 87102.

Accommodations can be made within 48 hours notice for non-English speaking participants and individuals with disabilities by calling 505-843-6880.

Citizens, interested agencies, and for-profit and nonprofit organizations may provide comments at any time during the public comment period, which will begin on February 15, 2022, and end at 11:59 p.m. MDT, March 16, 2022. Written comments and/or questions may be directed to either Sonja Unrau at 505-767-2277 or Sherry Stephens 505-767-2250 or toll free 1-800-444-6880; fax: 505-243-3289; e-mail: sunrau@housingnm.org or sstephens@housingnm.org; or mail: Housing New Mexico, 344 Fourth St. SW, Albuquerque, NM 87102.  After receipt of public comments, MFA staff will prepare a summary of all comments received in writing and, in cases where any citizens' views are not accepted, provide reasons for the decision. This documentation will be attached to the Second Substantial Amendment for 2021 Action Plan HOME-ARP that will be submitted to HUD.

The final amended plan approved by HUD will be available on MFA’s website at and at DFA’s website at https://housingnm.org/resources/plans-and-reports/nm-annual-action-plan and http://www.nmdfa.state.nm.us/Local_Government.aspx.