City Celebrates Ribbon Cutting at Pedrena Senior Living Apartments

Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham and Mayor Eric Enriquez celebrated a milestone in the ongoing effort to provide high-quality, affordable housing to seniors in Las Cruces with the grand opening of Pedrena Senior Living Apartments on Tuesday, September 30. This transformative project addresses a critical housing shortage in the city, bringing 80 new, purposefully designed residential units to a community that has long faced a growing gap in accessible housing options.

Based on HUD’s 2024 data, adults aged 55 and older now make up about 20% of people experiencing homelessness on a given night, with nearly half of them unsheltered. The increase is driven by fixed incomes, rising housing costs, and a shortage of affordable, age-appropriate housing and services

The fully built-out community located at the corner of East Farney Ln and El Paseo Rd features a mix of one-, and two-bedroom apartments, complete with amenities that foster stability for seniors aged 55 and up: a common area meeting space with kitchen, two elevators, fitness room, business center, dog park, solarium, library, and fenced perimeter with security gate, as well as ADA access to the park. These units include spacious living areas, washer and dryer, private patio or balcony, stainless steel energy star appliances, and locking outside storage rooms.

The $26.5 million development was made possible with support from the NM Department of Finance and Administration, the Department of Workforce Solutions – Office of Housing, the City of Las Cruces, Housing New Mexico, Doña Ana County bond issuance, CREA, Cedar Rapids Bank & Trust, Erstad Architects, Crestline Building Corporation, Tierra West, Monarch Properties Inc. and many other partners dedicated to expanding access to affordable housing in Las Cruces.

“By 2030, New Mexico is projected to be the state with fourth highest percentage of people over age 65 in the nation, and this group is particularly vulnerable to housing instability,” NM Department of Workforce Solutions Cabinet Secretary Sarita Nair said. “New Mexico is proud to be a partner in the Pedrena Apartments, which will provide safe and stable living options for seniors in southern New Mexico.”

Mayor Eric Enriquez recognized the collaborative efforts it took to bring this project to fruition, “It takes a team, and we have a great team in Las Cruces. We are proud of this project and the impact it will make to improve quality of life for seniors in our community. This is only possible with collaboration between the City, the developers, the State, Dona Ana County and other partners. Thank you to all for helping out and being a part of this.”

“Thomas Development Co. and Northwest Integrity Housing Co. are proud to deliver 80 units of senior affordable housing in Las Cruces, thoughtfully designed with abundant amenities to support comfort and community,” said Tom Mannschreck, President of Thomas Development Co. “Even before our scheduled completion on August 30, we were receiving daily calls from eager seniors ready to move in—and they did. Today, 70 of the 80 units are already occupied, a testament to the urgent need and enthusiastic response.”

Providing these homes at Pedrena Senior Living Apartments is essential for ensuring that seniors can age with dignity, security, and improved quality of life. The City of Las Cruces and the State of New Mexico continue to invest in making housing affordable and accessible for the community.