Linkages
Linkages is a program funded by the New Mexico Behavioral Health Purchasing Collaborative (the Collaborative) through OptumHealth New Mexico. It will provide rental subsidies and supportive services to vulnerable populations to link them to affordable quality housing with community-based, individualized services. Linkages will target consumers with demonstrated housing needs, prioritizing individuals with serious mental illnesses including Native Americans living off reservation.
This initiative is one of the first steps the Collaborative is taking to implement its long range Supportive Housing Plan to create supportive housing for its target population. The Collaborative has made access to available rental units a priority in its Plan recognizing the lack of affordable rental units as an impediment to its priority target populations and has allocated $300,000 in recurring funds for Linkages beginning in FY 2008. The New Mexico Mortgage Finance Authority (MFA) is a member of the Collaborative and will administer the housing portion of Linkages on behalf of the Collaborative.
