Former Rt. 66 motel to become housing project

ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) - In it's past, it was once another motel along Route 66, seven months from now, it will be a place for some to call home.  This is the former Sleepy Hollow Motor Court on 11th Street and Central Avenue in Northwest Albuquerque. On Monday, ground will be broken at the site to turn it into a housing project for people affected by HIV & AIDS.

The site will not provide the tenants with a place to live, but have help available for health and wellness. The $1.5 million project is scheduled to be wrapped up by August 2013.

Representatives from the New Mexico AIDS Services say in taking over the property, a lot of care will have to be taken for the renovation and construction of the facility. In the end, the old rooms will be turned into ten housing units. The tenants will have on-site supportive services as well as a common house where people living there can meet up.

"This will provide our clients with the ability to have a comfortable environment where they don't have to worry so much about having a roof over their heads and can focus more on a healthy lifestyle and living," says Jessica Molzen from New Mexico AIDS Services.

A number of organizations have contributed to the project including the City of Albuquerque, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the New Mexico Mortgage Finance Authority.