Advocacy for Affordable Housing in New Mexico
Building Homes Starts With Building Support
At Greater Albuquerque Habitat for Humanity, we know that building affordable homes takes more than hammers and nails. It takes volunteers, donors, community partners — and leaders who understand the importance of affordable homeownership and are willing to fight for it.
That's Why Advocacy Matters.
By working with the New Mexico Legislature, local governments and community leaders, we can help are bringing attention to the housing challenges facing families across our state and encourage encouraging investments that make affordable homeownership possible.
Why Housing Advocacy Matters in New Mexico
For many New Mexico families, the dream of owning a home is becoming increasingly out of reach. Rising construction costs, limited housing inventory, access to existing infrastructure needs and the cost of land can all create barriers to affordable homeownership.
Greater Albuquerque Habitat for Humanity helps address those challenges one home and one family at a time. But we know that building homes alone cannot solve New Mexico's housing needs. We also need policies, partnerships and public investments that help communities create more affordable housing home ownership opportunities.
Housing Affects the Strength of Our Broader Community
Teachers, healthcare workers, first responders, service employees, young families and retirees all need housing they can afford. When housing becomes increasingly difficult to find or afford, the effects can be felt by businesses, schools and communities throughout New Mexico. Vital resource providers will relocate to other communities in which owning is more affordable and they can build a future. In Albuquerque, statistics show renters currently spend, on average, 40% of their net income on rent.
These investments don't replace the work of Habitat, but they will ensure that our work remains possible on a much larger scale.
It's About More Than Housing
Affordable homeownership creates benefits that can extend far beyond the front door.
A stable home can give families the opportunity to build equity, establish roots and plan for their future. Children’s grades have shown to improve as a result of the stability of parents owning vs. the transiency of renting. Neighborhoods benefit when families can remain invested in the communities where they live and work.
Working With Our State and Local Leaders
Greater Albuquerque Habitat for Humanity works to educate elected officials about the realities of affordable housing and the challenges facing families seeking a path to homeownership.
We want lawmakers to understand not only the need, but also the long term, positive impact that thoughtful housing policies and investments can have.
When community leaders visit a Habitat build site, meet homeowners, talk with volunteers or learn about upcoming projects, they can see firsthand how affordable housing investments translate into real results.
Our advocacy is nonpartisan and mission driven. Affordable housing affects New Mexicans across communities, backgrounds and political districts.
The goal is simple: more New Mexico families should have the opportunity to achieve safe, stable and affordable housing.
Your Voice Can Make a Difference
You can be an advocate for affordable housing, too.
Learn who represents your community at the city and county level and in the New Mexico Legislature. Stay informed about housing issues. Talk with elected officials about the need for affordable homeownership, housing preservation and responsible investments in the infrastructure that supports growing communities.
Most importantly, share why housing matters to you.
We encourage you to get involved by donating, volunteering, and following us on social media. Stay connected to follow our story, see the impact of your support, and watch as we build homes, communities, and hope together.