West El Pasoans oppose low-income housing project

EL PASO, Texas ( KTSM ) — Some residents from the Coronado/Mesa Hills area took their frustrations to City Hall Tuesday, July 30, filing a petition with more than 600 signatures asking city representatives to vote against the development of a low-income apartment complex in their neighborhood.

The Housing Authority of the City of El Paso, or HOME, applied to have a lot by Mesa Hills and Sunland Park rezoned to begin construction on the low-income housing project.

Neighbors in the area said they were blindsided by the purchase and project proposal that would result in 104 residential units, claiming a lack of transparency from both HOME and District 8 Rep. Chris Canales.

“He denies meeting with us. Why? If we are his constituents, he does not help us get information. Why is he pushing this project forward?” said Cristina Jimenez, president of the Coronado del Sol Neighborhood Association.

“We don’t believe this is a fair fight and we don’t believe this is a fair project,” Jimenez said.

Along with the petitions filed, Jimenez and several other residents also submitted a letter addressing their concerns about the proposed project.

The three-page statement lists traffic, a potential increase in crime rates, health impacts from pollution, impacts to archaeological artifacts found around the area, and the ecosystem as reasons for City officials to consider before voting on HOME’s request.

KTSM reached out to Canales who has previously addressed constituents about the proposal in April.

On his office’s website, Canales published his thoughts on the South Mesa Hills Apartments project, ultimately supporting the proposal of HOME, urging constituents to keep an open mind in consideration of affordable housing

“I have also held eight community meetings, and people from the neighborhood have attended and participated in lengthy conversations about the issue. I also attended HOME’s Board of Commissioners meeting held at the nearby Polly Harris Senior Center in order to listen to the entirety of the public comment, and I also stayed for quite a long time in the lobby after the meeting to speak with every person who wanted to speak with me,” said Canales in response to not being available to constituents.

In a statement to KTSM, officials from HOME said:

“We have heard and addressed the concerns of neighbors who reside near the new proposed community in the Mesa Hills area through a private meeting held on May 8th, 2024, and a public meeting held on July 9th, 2024. Additionally, there have also been two public meetings within the past three months held by the City of El Paso and attended by HOME staff, where the subject of this wonderful housing community was considered. The proposed zoning changes to the property were approved by a vote of 8-0. HOME is confident that the new community and its residents will be a beautiful addition to the community.”

The City Council will hold a public hearing on the project on Sept. 10.

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