Heinrich, Luján Introduce Legislation to Build More Homes for New Mexicans, Reduce Homelessness

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) introduced the Housing for All Act, legislation to address the housing shortage and homelessness crises in New Mexico. If passed, the bill will invest in proven solutions to address housing shortages and provide a historic level of federal funding for programs to bolster innovative, locally developed solutions to increase the housing stock in the state and help New Mexicans experiencing homelessness.

As the Trump Administration undermines and defunds critical housing services across the country — including illegal staff cuts at the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and potential closures of nearly two-thirds of HUD field offices nationwide — investments to boost the affordable housing stock and reduce homelessness are essential.

“Housing costs in New Mexico and across the country are out of control. The solution is simple: we need to build and renovate more homes. And we need to provide our community leaders with the financial support necessary to carry out this important work,” said Heinrich. “While Donald Trump and Elon Musk’s “DOGE” boys gut housing services that help New Mexicans keep a roof over their head, I’m focused on boosting essential programs that increase the housing stock, lower costs, and help hardworking families get ahead.”

“In New Mexico and across the country, far too many Americans lack access to affordable housing options and are experiencing homelessness,” said Luján. “As housing programs and services face ongoing attacks and funding cuts, the need to expand affordable housing options has never been greater. That’s why I’m proud to introduce this legislation to address housing shortages and help end homelessness in New Mexico.”

Across New Mexico, there is a shortage of rental homes affordable and available to households whose incomes are at or below the poverty line or 30% of their area median income. And, according to a January 2024 survey conducted by the New Mexico Coalition to End Homelessness, 4,649 people experienced homelessness in New Mexico on a night in January. Furthermore, half of New Mexico’s lower-income renters spend more than 30% of their income on housing costs, including utilities.

Heinrich and Luján’s Housing for All Act takes an all-hands-on-deck approach to combat these crises, including historic investments from the federal government in housing solutions.

Addressing the Affordable Housing Shortage

The Housing for All Act addresses the affordable housing shortage by investing in federal housing programs, including:

• The National Housing Trust Fund
  • This program increases and preserves the supply of affordable housing.

• The HOME Investment Partnerships Program
  • The HOME program provides grants to state and local governments to build affordable housing for low-income households.

• The Section 202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly Program
  • The Section 202 program helps expand the supply of affordable housing by supporting nonprofit entities that build housing for low-income seniors.

• The Section 811 Supportive Housing for People with Disabilities Program
  • The Section 811 program helps build and subsidize rental housing with supportive services for low-income adults with disabilities.

Addressing the Homelessness Crisis

The Housing for All Act addresses the homelessness crisis by investing in:

• Housing Choice Vouchers
  • These vouchers help low-income families, elderly persons, veterans and disabled individuals afford housing in the private market.

• Project-Based Rental Assistance
  • This type of rental assistance allows tenants to live in an affordable unit and pay rent based upon their income.

• The Emergency Solutions Grant Program
  • This program connects families and individuals to rapid re-housing assistance, emergency shelter, and homelessness prevention.

• Continuum of Care Program
  • This program provides funding for efforts to end homelessness and promotes access to programs that can help homeless individuals and families.

Supporting Innovative and Locally Developed Approaches

The Housing for All Act supports innovative and locally developed approaches by investing in:

• Hotel and motel conversions to permanent supportive housing with supportive services.

• The Eviction Protection Grant Program to support experienced legal service providers in providing legal assistance to low-income tenants at risk of or subject to eviction.

• Mobile crisis intervention teams to help those with medical or psychological needs get the care that they need.

• Programs that offer a safe place to park overnight and facilitate access to rehousing and essential services.

• Library programs that support people experiencing homelessness.

• Inclusive transit-oriented housing development.

• Improved coordination of culturally competent, trauma-informed behavioral health and homelessness services.

A one-page summary of the bill is here.

A section-by-section summary of the bill is here.

The text of the bill is here.

For a list of Heinrich’s actions to lower housing costs and tackle the housing shortage in New Mexico, click here.

For a list of Luján’s actions to lower housing costs and tackle the housing shortage in New Mexico, click here.

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