926 S San Pedro Street, Las Cruces, NM 88001
575-528-2000 Mon–Fri 7:30AM–4:30PM | Closed 12:00PM–12:30PM
Programs & Services

Housing Programs

MVPHA offers programs that provide safe, decent, and affordable housing, along with opportunities and incentives that help families move toward economic independence.

Affordable Housing

MVPHA has developed a comprehensive portfolio of affordable housing programs to assist the community with high-quality affordable housing options.

MVPHA participates in Low Income Housing Tax Credit developments and owns affordable housing properties throughout the region.

Low Income Housing Tax Credit Developments

MVPHA is the general partner in nine LIHTC developments with a total of 643 units.

  • Cimmaron I — 60 units
  • Cimmaron II — 84 units
  • Desert Hope — 40 units
  • Desert Palms — 100 units
  • Falcon Ridge — 72 units
  • Montana Senior Village I — 48 units
  • Montana Senior Village II — 84 units
  • Robledo Ridge — 71 units
  • Stone Mountain — 84 units

MVPHA-Owned Affordable Housing

MVPHA owns two affordable housing properties with a total of 40 units.

Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program

  • The Housing Choice Voucher Program is the federal government’s major program for assisting very low-income families, elderly residents, and people with disabilities in affording decent, safe, and sanitary housing in the private rental market.
  • HUD provides funds that allow Public Housing Authorities to make Housing Assistance Payments on behalf of families.
  • HUD also pays the housing authority administrative fees to help cover the cost of administering the program.

Voucher Programs

MVPHA has been awarded a total of 1,652 vouchers.

  • 1,652 Conventional HCV Vouchers
  • 80 HUD-VASH Vouchers for homeless veterans with supportive services through the Department of Veterans Affairs
  • 40 Family Unification Program Vouchers
  • 100 Non-Elderly Disabled Vouchers
  • 13 Homeownership Vouchers

Payment Standards

Utility Allowance Schedules

Low Rent Public Housing

  • The public housing program was established in 1937 to provide decent and safe rental housing for low-income families.
  • The program is funded by the federal government.
  • The Public Housing Program provides affordable housing to more than 600 residents of the City of Las Cruces.
  • A resident’s rent is subsidized by the federal government and is usually calculated at 30 percent of the household’s adjusted monthly income.
  • Applicants must be income eligible and residents must follow program rules.

MVPHA manages 248 low rent public housing units throughout the City of Las Cruces. Community details are available on the Communities page.

Section 8 New Construction - Multifamily

  • The Section 8 Program was authorized by Congress in 1974 and developed by HUD to provide rental subsidies for eligible tenant families, including single-person households.
  • The program applies to newly constructed, rehabilitated, existing rental, and cooperative apartment projects.
  • Some residential units are subsidized by HUD under the Section 8 New Construction Program.
  • This assistance is project-based, meaning the subsidy is committed by HUD to assisted units at a specific property for a contractually determined period.

Family Self-Sufficiency Program

Family Self-Sufficiency, or FSS, is a voluntary five-year program that helps participants work toward personal, educational, financial, and career goals.

The program helps reduce dependency on welfare assistance and other subsidies by connecting housing assistance families with existing community services that support economic self-sufficiency.

How the Program Works

The Family Self-Sufficiency Program is available to Housing Choice Voucher participants who have been in the program at least one year, are in good standing, and want to overcome barriers while taking advantage of educational and earning potential.

Participants work with the FSS Coordinator to establish goals and develop a personalized action plan. Services may include skills assessment, GED preparation, career planning, computer literacy, skills training, money management workshops, childcare referrals, and credit repair workshops.

An escrow savings account is opened for participating families. As participants reach their goals and earned income increases, MVPHA may deposit money into the escrow account. Once participants complete program requirements, maintain full-time employment, and no longer rely on rental assistance, they may receive the escrow funds plus interest.

To participate, the head of household signs a Contract of Participation and works with the FSS Coordinator to develop an Individual Training and Service Plan. To graduate, participants must meet all plan goals, be welfare-free for 12 consecutive months before graduation, and have suitable employment.

Benefits of the FSS Program

  • Career and educational counseling
  • Educational workshops
  • GED preparation
  • ESL support
  • Money management education
  • Community networking
  • Job preparation assistance
  • Educational institution and financial aid assistance
  • Credit repair assistance
  • FSS escrow accounts
  • Homeownership counseling
  • Referral services

FSS Success

Many families have successfully graduated from the FSS Program, achieved educational goals, started rewarding careers, purchased homes, paid for school, purchased vehicles, reduced debt, and built greater financial stability.

2016 Jessica Arellano
2017 Sally Nichols; Teresa Castillo
2018 Naomi Jackson
2020 Christina Nevarez
2021 Cristina Torres; Tiffany Dons Gillespie; Ernesto Rodriguez
2024 Liberty Fitzgerald; Muriel Bowles; Nancy Salas; Brittanie Chavez
2025 Loretta Legarda

Testimonials

“As an FSS participant, the most I got from this program was to become a homeowner, which was my main goal after completing the program.”
— Ernesto A. Rodriguez
“The FSS program was amazing. I am honored to be a graduate.”
— Iris Hernandez
“This program is amazing and gives you the opportunity to take advantage of the tools they equip you with to become more knowledgeable, self-sufficient, and get ahead in life.”
— Liberty Fitzgerald
“Prayer, hard work, and determination helped me to be in a position to graduate from the MVPHA FSS Program.”
— Muriel Bowles
“I wholeheartedly am grateful and proud to have succeeded my way through.”
— Nancy Salas
“The FSS program has provided opportunities for educating me in money management, financial independence, and first-time home buying.”
— Brittanie Chavez
“Graduating from the Family Self-Sufficiency Program has been one of the most transformative experiences of my life.”
— Loretta Legarda

Become a success story, put in the effort, and reap the reward. Enroll in the FSS Program.