Key highlights
- The Laguna Housing Development and Management Enterprise was awarded the Charles L. Edson Tax Credit Excellence Award for its Laguna III project
- Laguna III created 20 homes, a community building, and outdoor amenities for the Pueblo of Laguna
- Travois secured funding and provided architectural design services for the project
The Laguna Housing Development and Management Enterprise (LHDME) earned a prestigious housing tax credit honor for creating family-oriented apartments and amenities in New Mexico.
Laguna III recently won the 2026 Charles L. Edson Tax Credit Excellence Award in the Housing for Native American or Tribal Populations category. In September, the Affordable Housing Tax Credit Coalition (AHTCC) presented the award to LHDME at a Washington, D.C., ceremony attended by members of Congress.
Denise Cheresposy, vice chair for LHDME’s board of directors, accepted the award from Rebecca Avitia, the chief of staff for New Mexico Sen. Martin Heinrich.
“Kwa’kwah/Dawa’eh (thank you) to the Pueblo of Laguna Tribal Council, LHDME staff and Board, Travois, Pavilion Construction, Housing New Mexico, RBC, and the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines,” LHDME said in a statement. “These partners made the project possible, and we are grateful to serve the Pueblo of Laguna communities.”
Travois housing developmented helped LHDME secure an award of tax credits that resulted in nearly $7.9 million in LIHTC equity from RBC Community Investments. The team also obtained a $750,000 Affordable Housing Program (AHP) grant from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines.
The combined funding sources covered the majority of the project’s costs.
Travois Architecture designed Laguna III to promote a sense of community, incorporating Pueblo-inspired design elements. The development features 20 apartments with two- and three-bedroom layouts, a community building, a basketball court, and accessible playgrounds.
“As the affordability crisis grows, the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit has become increasingly essential to providing families with safe, stable housing near jobs, education, health care and other community resources,” AHTCC CEO Emily Cadik said. “Each winner of the 2026 Recognition of Housing Tax Credit Excellence has made a lasting impact in the communities they serve and for the families who now have an affordable place to call home.”