Senior living complex celebrates more than opening

RIO RANCHO — A complex for seniors ages 55 and up opened with a grand celebration June 3.

The Felician Villa apartments at the end of Stephanie Road have been in the construction process since the ground breaking March 21. Now, the first part of the complex, Villa I, is home to many senior residents.

Rio Rancho Mayor Gregg Hull said he was grateful for the investment in Rio Rancho and the resource for seniors.

“I remember being out at the groundbreaking, and there was just nothing but dirt, and there was some footers being poured at the time, and we were kicking it off. Now, we have 66 lease units back here. I think it is fully leased, and that just really speaks to the demand that is here, and not just in Rio Rancho, but in New Mexico when it comes to housing, and not just housing, but affordable housing,” he said.

He added that as the senior population grows in Rio Rancho, “so does the urgency for safe, affordable housing.”

“Far too many older adults in our community are living on fixed incomes and struggling to find housing that is both affordable and accessible,” Hull said.

The project was made possible in part by a $1.5 million grant from the federal housing program, according to Hull.

“We’re greatly appreciative of that, and that investment is one that reflects the shared values of our responsibility to care for every generation. The Felician Villa is a shining example of the kind of forward-thinking development we want more of in Rio Rancho,” he said. “We’re not just opening doors to homes, we’re opening doors to opportunity to connection and to a better quality of life.”

He also thanked the Felician Sisters, who own the land that the complex was built on and invested in the project.

Charles Schmid, CEO of Chelsea Investment Corporation, the company charged with development of the Felician Villa, said the process in Rio Rancho has been “outstanding.”

He also recognized the role Housing New Mexico played in the development of the Villa.

“It is so refreshing to be surrounded by problem-solving individuals,” he said.

Adam Saber, executive vice president and COO of Catholic Charities Housing, said the Villa provides basic needs.

“It’s a place where you can go back, take a shower, have a meal, spend some time with your family, your loved ones, have some good, quality sleep,” he said.

He also said the priorities of the project were clear from the start of the project.

“We started mid of 2018 seven years ago when the Felician Sisters approached Catholic Charities to start discussing the donation of this property, and they had one condition. They said, ‘We want a project continuously serving the Rio Rancho community,’” he said.

Isidoro Hernandez, executive director/CEO of Housing New Mexico/MFA, spoke about the push to open more complexes like the Felician Villas across the state.

He said in the past month or so, Housing New Mexico has been a part of openings and groundbreakings for about 4,800 units across 19 municipalities.

“Not only are they bringing housing to their communities, the economic impact is just tremendous,” he said.

The Felician Villa, he said, is expected to last at least 30-40 years.

The opening event also marked a celebration for New Mexico Housing, which celebrated its 50th anniversary the same day, according to Hernandez.

They weren’t the only ones celebrating an anniversary. The Felician Sisters celebrate their 150th anniversary this year. Sister Rosemarie Goins said in 1975, the mother house in Rio Rancho was built in front of the 10 acres, making 2025 their 50th anniversary as well. The mother house is a place for drug rehabilitation and worship.

She also talked about the origins of the word “Felician.”

“The word means joyful. It means happy. So this place should be radiating joy and happiness always every time you say ‘Felician.’ We are very pleased to have our name attached to these buildings,” she said.

St. Felix Pantry was also in attendance, and Storehouse New Mexico received a check from Chelsea in the amount of $2,000.

State Sen. Cindy Nava, District 9, commented on the project after the speeches were complete.

“I think it’s extremely important, as someone who comes from (Housing and Urban Development). I’ve seen groundbreakings across the country for a long time, and I know coming home, and in my district, there’s so much meaning behind it, because we know the needs of our communities. We know the needs of low-income communities and the intentionality in pulling and bringing this together,” she said. “I think it’s a really innovative approach, and it’s an example that we can build upon from across the state.”

She added that the housing crisis in the United States and New Mexico especially benefits from complexes like the Felician Villas.

The villas include community spaces, including a gym, a library and more for residents. Each floor of the building is equipped with a shared laundry room. The rooms themselves are fully stocked with a kitchen and bathroom as well as a sliding glass door.