Newest Mortgage Finance Authority board member is from NMSU

The newest member of the New Mexico Mortgage Finance Authority (MFA) board of directors is Patricia Sullivan, Ph.D., associate dean of Outreach and Recruitment for the New Mexico State University College of Engineering and commissioner of the Western Interstate Commission on Higher Education, MFA said in a news release.

Sullivan was appointed Oct. 8, 2021, to fill a vacancy on the board, MFA said. That term expires Feb. 17, 2022. Sullivan is expected to be confirmed by the New Mexico Senate during the current legislative session to serve a multi-year term that will begin when her current term expires, MFA said.

Sullivan previously served on the MFA board 2000-04. She is currently a member of MFA’s Tax Allocation Review Committee.

“Dr. Sullivan brings a wealth of knowledge, expertise, and passion for MFA’s mission that will be a valuable addition to an already outstanding board,” MFA Executive Director Izzy Hernandez said. “Her insight and perspective as a committee member and past board member will also be helpful as we work to address the complex housing needs of the state.”

“It is an honor to join this amazingly dedicated team of individuals to address critical housing needs across the state,” Sullivan said.  “With the numerous challenges brought on by the Covid pandemic, meeting these needs is more important than ever.”

Sullivan has an extensive background in energy policy and renewable energy integration and holds a Ph.D. in industrial engineering with a focus on renewable energy regulatory policy, a master’s degree in public utility economics and a bachelor’s degree in biology, all from NMSU, MFA said.

In addition to Sullivan, the MFA board includes Chair Angel Reyes, president of the Centinel Bank of Taos; Vice Chair Derek Valdo of Santa Ana Pueblo, CEO of AMERIND Risk; Treasurer Rebecca Wurzburger, a strategic planning consultant in Santa Fe; Lt. Gov. Howie Morales; Attorney General Hector Balderas; and state Treasurer Tim Eichenberg.

MFA, a self-supporting quasi-governmental agency, was created by the New Mexico Legislature in 1975 to provide quality affordable housing opportunities for all New Mexico residents, MFA said. MFA uses housing bonds, tax credits and other federal and state resources to fund more than 30 housing programs. In addition to funding the construction and rehabilitation of affordable housing and rental properties, MFA’s programs include down-payment assistance, homelessness prevention and emergency shelter, weatherization services, rental assistance and housing for people with special needs.

Visit www.housingnm.org.

MFA housing survey open through Feb. 28

Now through the end of February, MFA is inviting New Mexicans to complete a short, confidential survey that will help identify and address housing needs across the state, MFA said in a news release. All eligible survey takers will be entered into drawings for the chance to win one of five $100 gift cards.

The survey takes approximately 10 minutes to complete and can be accessed in both English and Spanish at housingnm.org/advisory-committee-housing-strategy/resident-survey.

“The survey is designed to help us determine residents’ housing needs and solutions that would work best to address those needs,” MFA Research and Development Manager Sonja Unrau said. “The survey will also supplement quantitative data to provide us with a more complete picture of housing issues for both urban and rural areas of the state.”

The survey is a part of the MFA-led initiative to develop a statewide housing strategy that will analyze and project the state’s housing needs, engage the public and stakeholders, assess barriers to affordable housing development, review housing resources and recommend statewide, regional and local strategies to solve affordability issues, MFA said.

“This initiative is the first of its kind, so we’re excited to bring together partners from throughout the industry to help develop practical solutions to the housing issues facing the state,” MFA Senior Director of Policy and Planning Rebecca Velarde said.

For more information on the survey, call 970-880-1415 or email frankie@rootpolicy.com.