US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for New Mexico Martin Heinrich
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 Senator 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:
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.
This program connects families and individuals to rapid re-housing assistance, emergency shelter, and homelessness prevention.
Supporting Innovative and Locally Developed Approaches
The Housing for All Act supports innovative and locally developed approaches by investing in:
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.