A new affordable living project across from Capital High School is scheduled to open next January.

The Housing Trust and the New Mexico Coalition to End Homelessness broke ground March 12 on Village Sage Apartments on Paseo del Sol.

One-quarter of the 60 one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments will be set aside for people who are transitioning from homelessness or are in danger of becoming homeless.

"I think this project is really the centerpiece in our plan to end homelessness," said Hank Hughes, the executive director of the New Mexico Coalition to End Homelessness. "When you get homeless people into a nice place to live, they're no longer homeless."

The $11 million project, funded in part by the Tax Credit Exchange Program, has created 87 construction jobs and four permanent jobs. It was designed by Albuquerque-based architecture firm Dekker/Perich/Sabatini and is being built by Bradbury Stamm. At the urging of the housing trust's resident architect, Spencer Haynsworth, Bradbury Stamm is working with as many Santa Fe-based contractors as possible.

"Spencer held their feet to the fire in hiring as many Santa Fe contractors who had good bids for the job," said Sharron Welsh, housing trust executive director. She said about 40 percent of the contractors working on the project are from Santa Fe.

Two of the project's six acres are open space that will include a pond, orchards and separate play areas for each of the three sets of units. The complex will also feature a community house.

"The internal courtyards will be very lush," Haynsworth explained. The goal of this is to let residents "take ownership of that area."

Haynsworth said the landscape architect, Solange Serquis, "has two children and she's very much about creating play areas that aren't artificial plastic." There will be a place to play hopscotch and playgrounds made of recycled materials.

The units also have separate outdoor spaces where families can enjoy their own, more private outdoor activities.

There is currently a waiting list for the apartments, but Welsh said people are welcome to fill out an interest card.

To qualify to rent at Village Sage, however, families must meet income restrictions. "Rich people can't live here," Hughes said with a laugh. "Although they'll be so nice they'll want to."

Classes from nearby Capital High School will be invited to make site visits to observe progress on construction and to watch specific installations.

Although the housing trust generally focuses on helping first-time buyers learn the ins and outs of homeownership, Welsh said she wants these rentals to feel like home to those who live in them. "They'll also feel more of a sense of ownership because Hank is quite the community organizer," she said.

Hughes has already begun creating an organization similar to a homeowners association through which tenants will govern themselves and have a place to take complaints. The association will also be responsible for interacting with the Village Sage management.

Energy literacy classes will teach tenants how to keep their utility bills low and conserve energy, Hughes said.

Also, a team of representatives from various organizations will be available to residents via the on-site services coordinator, who will contact organizations based on specific needs of the tenants.

"Maybe it's to learn a particular skill," Hughes said. "The service coordinator will (connect) people who are so overwhelmed ... to organizations. They (will) have someone working with them so things can happen."

Rents for the apartments vary from $314 to $900 monthly. For more information, call 989-3960.

Contact Ana Maria Trujillo at 986-3084 or atrujillo@sfnewmexican.com.