First-time buyers can still afford a new house in one of Albuquerque's oldest neighborhoods. A dozen new single-family homes have been completed in the Barelas neighborhood, and most have a front-row view of the old rail yard that once was the heart of this community.

 
The houses, along Third Street near Atlantic SW, are part of a development by the Greater Albuquerque Housing Partnership. This private nonprofit works with the city and other public and private agencies to bring affordable housing to first-time buyers who meet certain income criteria.

 
At the new Barelas Homes, for example, people with a minimum annual income of $28,000 can qualify for the mortgage on a two-bedroom, two-bath, 950-square-foot house. An income of at least $33,500 lets them qualify for a two-story, three-bedroom house with 1,300 square feet of living space.

 
With front porches and colorful front doors, the new houses reflect the older architecture in this neighborhood of Victorian-style residences south of Downtown. Passersby will note the gabled roof lines, varying stucco shades, transom windows, wrought-iron front fences and back-door stoops, all updated for a modern house but with a flair that honors the past.
The Greater Albuquerque Housing Partnership works with neighborhood associations when undertaking an infill residential development, said Louis Kolker, executive director of the agency. Revitalization of some of the city's oldest neighborhoods is a goal. The Barelas homes, designed by Integrated Design & Architecture, are only the first phase of the development on a vacant lot that once held a warehouse, across the street from the rail yards. The second phase, to start this summer, will be the construction of 10 townhomes to be sold at full market value.

 
Barelas Homes are offered in four distinct styles, and both one-story and two-story models have two-car garages accessed from an alley. The rear garages are an intentional design element to both beautify the streetscapes by making them more pedestrian-friendly and allow residents an "eye on the street," Kolker said. While the home prices range from $147,900 to $177,900, qualifying buyers will be granted a second "soft" mortgage for a portion of that amount. The second mortgage doesn't require repayment until the home eventually is sold or refinanced by the original buyer.

 
The developers have made energy efficiency a priority in the new community, going beyond the benefits existing streets, schools and businesses, said Kolker. Green building components in the new homes range from passive solar design elements to the inclusion of Energy Star appliances.

 
"An urban home built using existing urban infrastructure and close to existing transportation routes, schools employment, shopping and entertainment centers is by itself— without additional green components— 57 percent more energy efficient than a home built at the edges of the city, and 25 percent more energy efficient than a green home built at the edge of the city," said Kolker.

With three upstairs bedrooms, the two-story homes offer three open floor plans on the main level. Standard features include 9-foot ceilings downstairs, built-in closets and storage under the stairway. The front porches, wrought iron railings, front doors in shades of plum, green and red, and generous plantings of honey locust trees are a salute to older homes in the neighborhood, some of which date to the turn of the 20th century.

 
The Barelas Homes are one of several affordable home projects being developed by the Greater Albuquerque Housing Partnership. A half-dozen out of 18 townhomes are still available at the Sunport Townhomes infill project near Carlisle and Gibson, and the Trumbull Village development of 14 single-family homes near Southern and Pennsylvania SE will be under construction by summer's end. The partnership works with entities such as the city of Albuquerque, Enterprise Community Partners, the McCune Foundation, Catholic Health Initiatives, New Mexico Mortgage Finance Authority's Housing Trust Fund, Bank of Albuquerque, Wells Fargo Housing Foundation, Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae to finance the developments.
The partnership helps first-time buyers with the application process. For information about qualifying incomes or housing developments, call Rose Perez, certified housing counselor, at 262-9697. The Web site is abqgahp.org.

ESTIMATED MONTHLY PAYMENTS (includes estimated taxes and insurance) For $177,900 house (1,340 square feet): $935 Because of a "soft" second mortgage for qualifying first-time buyers, the primary mortgage would be closer to $125,000, after a 3 percent down payment. Source: Greater Albuquerque Housing Partnership

STANDARD FEATURES:
Laminate countertops
Carpet or vinyl on floors
Oak cabinets
9-foot ceilings downstairs
Two-car rear garage
Energy Star appliances

HEATING/COOLING
Forced-air; evaporative cooler

INSULATION VALUES
R-38 in the roof, R-13 in the walls