New Mexico stands at a pivotal moment. Our state faces skyrocketing rents, a shortage of affordable homes and a growing homeless population. These crises impact working families, young people and our Hispanic and Native communities the hardest. There is hope. Proven policy changes can help solve these problems. We must take bold action and find the political will to remove outdated restrictions that keep our communities poor.
Researchers at the Pew Charitable Trust Foundation confirmed that New Mexico’s restrictive zoning laws are exacerbating the state’s housing shortage. These regulations have made it very difficult for working families to find affordable housing options, leading to rising rents and perpetuating cycles of poverty that disproportionately affect communities of color.