DFA Secretary Debbie Romero
STATE News:
SANTA FE — The State of New Mexico Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) has reached an important milestone of providing more than $100 million in rent and utility assistance across the state.
The quick disbursement of funds has helped 29,748 households avoid eviction and disconnection of utilities.
The Department of Finance and Administration (DFA) is administering the program in partnership with the State and the City of Albuquerque.
Highlights:
- $4,000 average award for rent;
- $750 average award for utilities;
- 29,748 households received support for both back rent and future housing expenses;
- 6,288 landlords participated; and
- 45 utility companies participated in bulk payment.
“At first, this was purely an emergency program to help renters avoid eviction and keep the utilities running, but it has since evolved into a lifeline for New Mexicans facing multiple types of housing difficulties,” DFA Secretary Debbie Romero said. “This milestone is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our staff, and our collaborative partners. We are doing a lot of good and will do even more as we further expand the program to offer more aid to New Mexicans in the coming years.”
The program now also funds legal services for tenants who cannot afford appropriate legal representation if they are facing eviction due to nonpayment of rent and, through a partnership with the Administrative Office of the Courts, the Eviction Prevention and Diversion Program provides eviction diversion support. Eviction diversion activities are being piloted in Curry and Roosevelt Counties and will be rolled out statewide in the coming months.
Reaching the $100M milestone was due in part to the close collaboration between the City of Albuquerque and the State. In Albuquerque alone over 20,000 awards have been issued.
“We kept hundreds of Albuquerque families in their homes with over $49 million in emergency rent funds,” Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller said. “In partnership with the state, we gave housing assistance directly to those who need it, without unnecessary barriers. This should be a model for other cities and states on how to make sure COVID relief money gets to the people it is supposed to help.”
The overall program is part of a federal aid package to curb mass evictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Since launching in May 2021, New Mexico has deployed many innovative solutions to provide support to renters. For example, New Mexico was the first state in the country to implement “bulk payment” distribution, which simplifies and streamlines the application and payment process for tenants, landlords, and utility companies. It has since been used as a model for multiple states administering ERAP. In addition, DFA partnered and collaborated with numerous government agencies and over 20 community organizations to identify and reach potential applicants across the state.
“The program has a 99% approval rate because our team is spending the time to work with applicants through the process so we can give them the aid they need to stay in their homes,” ERAP Director Donnie Quintana said. “Our default position since day one has been to use the maximum latitude provided by the Department of Treasury to find a way to “yes” for applicants. We know behind every application is a person or a family in a tough housing situation.”
The Emergency Rental Assistance Program will continue through September of 2025. An additional $200M is available for direct rent and utility assistance, and an array of housing stability services. In addition to the State/CABQ program, rental assistance programs are being administered separately by Bernalillo and Doña Ana Counties. Access to all programs is available at renthelpnm.org.
