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.

Taos NEST (Navigating Emergency Support Together)

For families, women, and men seeking emergency housing and support services, please go to Taos NEST by 6pm.

Taos NEST (Navigating Emergency Support Together) is opened for winter crisis shelter at 601 Lovato Place, behind Super Save. Adult (18+ years old) women, men, and gender expansive individuals who are in need of emergency overnight shelter can check in by 6 p.m. nightly for a bed. Families with children in need of shelter should go to Taos NEST by 6 p.m. or call DreamTree for the Family Emergency Shelter, which is operated with financial support from HEART of Taos.

HEART is providing funding to DreamTree Project / Taos NEST (Navigating Emergency Support Together) for short term emergency shelter for families facing homelessness in Taos County. In addition, HEART will continue funding wrap-around support services for individuals and families in Taos NEST. This support will include identification paperwork (birth certificates, social security, driver’s license), basic needs items, and other support to achieve housing stability.

Taos NEST is a multi-agency project with the goal to assist community members in accessing emergency shelter and support services. Taos NEST is a collaboration between CAV, DreamTree Project, HEART of Taos, Taos Men’s Shelter, Youth Heartline, St. James Church, and other service providers to support adults and families experiencing housing insecurity and/or homelessness. Read the Taos News article about our ARPA award for this project, or learn more about NEST and cold weather emergency shelter in Taos here. More information can be found here at DreamTree.

HEART was critical in the creation and planning of Taos NEST, we are grateful for this community wide collaborative effort with the Town of Taos, Taos County, and multiple community agencies.

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GENERAL DONATIONS

family Emergency Shelter

HEART of Taos’ goal is to raise at least $100,000 each winter, to provide families with critical shelter during harsh weather months. HEART is providing funding to DreamTree Project / Taos NEST (Navigating Emergency Support Together) for short term emergency shelter for families facing homelessness in Taos County. In addition, HEART will continue funding wrap-around support services for individuals and families in Taos NEST. This support will include identification paperwork (birth certificates, social security, driver’s license), basic needs items, and other support to achieve housing stability.

From December 2022 to July 2023, DreamTree served approximately 89 individuals, an estimated 15 families per month. The average cost was $37,500 per month, totaling over $300,000 for eight (8) months, the majority of which were non-recurring federal funds. By raising funds this winter, we – HEART and DreamTree – can help more families.

HEART will focus on the fundraising need of $100,000 to ensure families are sheltered each winter.

The problem that we face is that all the families need longer term housing options with support services. Therefore, developing affordable, supportive, transitional and permanent housing for families will help decrease the need for family emergency shelter. We will inform community leaders about the need for permanent affordable and supportive housing for families in Taos County.

Family in Focus Program

HEART will work with a family to focus on wrap around services to support their long-term stability. HEART will offer basic needs, supportive services and financial support to the household.

The family member(s) in the household will be in a support service program with a local community agency. A service navigator will follow up with the family periodically to track their progress and to ensure their basic needs are met.

This wrap around approach allows HEART to provide a supportive and thoughtful way to support the families in Taos County. Investing in one family at a time until they are fully stable, allows us to make a real difference in the lives of the children, families, and community of Taos County.

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TAOS HEARTH

HEART has committed to developing one, two-bedroom family housing unit that is transitional, affordable, supportive and sustainable in Taos County, known as Taos Hearth. HEART is collaborating with Mark Goldman Architect and In Our Hands. Taos Hearth recently made headlines in the Taos News article Nonprofit offers new approach to sustainable, affordable housing.

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more about taos hearth project

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

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.

PROJECT BUDGET

Predevelopment Costs (designs, fees, etc.) (Donated)	$25,000
Land (Donated)	$90,000
Flood Mitigation, Engineering, etc.	$10,000
Structure (materials, equipment, etc.)	$100,000
Sustainable Utility Systems	$50,000
Permits, Fees, etc.	$20,000
Contractor, Labor, Other Costs	$40,000

Remaining Balance Needed: $310,000
*Collaborators/Partners: Mark Goldman Architect LLC and In Our Hands.