LEARN ABOUT OUR PROGRAMS

HEART of Taos operates several programs to help support independence for families and individuals by providing emergency, transitional, and permanent housing, and supportive services.

Family in Focus Program

Beginning November 1, 2024, HEART will expand its Family in Focus program to Taos County community agencies working with families in need.

Family in Focus is a homelessness prevention program providing financial support to families facing homelessness in Taos County, New Mexico. HEART will prioritize families with children (under 18 years of age) and families with elders (over 55 years of age).

Referral based program. The family’s case manager should submit a request to support@taosheart.org, and include in the subject line: “Family in Focus Request.” The community agency will need to provide the proper documentation to receive payment.

Families may receive one-time financial support each year.

Financial support can be used for housing and basic needs costs

Families may receive one-time financial support each year.

Give to Family in Focus

TAOS HEARTH

Taos Hearth is a community vision to preserve and cultivate its land and environment through a permaculture design; while developing affordable, sustainable, and supportive housing for low-income families. This model addresses all basic needs which allows for housing stability and improved physical and mental health for community members.

Taos Hearth has two affordable housing projects in the pipeline. Project 1 is to add a second bedroom to an existing one-bedroom home and Project 1 is to develop and build a new two-bedroom home.

HEART is collaborating with Mark Goldman Architect and others. Taos Hearth recently made headlines in the Taos News article Nonprofit offers new approach to sustainable, affordable housing.

concept gallery

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more about taos hearth projects

Project Vision

HEART’s ultimate vision is to build long-term sustainable, affordable, permaculture communities that combine traditional living & building technologies with current sustainable and efficient technologies, providing naturally affordable units to address the housing crisis. A huge part about why we are prioritizing sustainability is grounded in a heightened multicultural awareness specific to where we are in Taos County.

Our plans to build sustainable affordable housing is not just about reducing utility and living costs, it is about creating solutions for cultural sustainability as well. When the culture of a community is healthy, vibrant and protected, that health and vibrancy is reflected in its people.

According to the 2020 Town of Taos affordable housing plan, the Town of Taos and Taos County need a total of 1,003 units of affordable and supportive housing. Due to COVID-19 and recent devastating fires, the need for affordable housing is most likely higher at this time.

Children in New Mexico are experiencing poverty at higher rates than the National average (National – 18% of children living at or below the Federal Poverty Level (FPL).) According to New Mexico Kids Count Data Book 2022, 24% of children in New Mexico are living at or below the FPL; Taos County is 20% FPL; and Taos Pueblo is 30% FPL.

The problem we see in Taos County is the lack of quality, safe, affordable and supportive housing combined with the lack of landlords/units that will accept current housing subsidies/vouchers programs.

In order for us to tackle such a high need of affordable housing, we must collaborate and work together to diversify affordable and supportive housing development.

At a Glance

When you build with sustainable materials, utilize passive & renewable energy, and design in a permaculture layout, you will have:
– Lower capital and operating costs
– Lower utility costs
– Improved land and environment

Development: A well-insulated home – mainly Earth build such as Pumice Crete, Adobe, HempCrete, etc. Sustainable Systems include water catchment; solar, wind, solar thermal water heater; Grey/Black water planter cells; solar thermal radiator, awning, shades, and proper venting. A greenhouse will be designed to regulate heating and cooling for the home.
Program: Taos Hearth is expected to be a transitional housing unit for a family working with HEART of Taos or other local community agency.
Operations: The rent collected will be kept in an operating account to pay for the physical maintenance of Taos Hearth including management, maintenance, repairs, damages, etc.
Goal: Create a more conscious way of living to protect the people and the planet by localizing housing, food, energy, and other resources and by collaborating with community members, agencies, and leaders to build a healthy, stable, and safe community.

Taos HEARTH PROJECT BUDGETs

Project 1: Add a second bedroom to an existing one-bedroom home.	$70,000
Project 2: Develop and build a new two-bedroom home.	$250,000