In New Mexico, rental assistance programs are primarily administered through a decentralized network of statewide, regional, and local non-profit organizations. Although the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP)—a centralized, state-level initiative launched during the pandemic—has officially closed, various regional, specialized, and long-term emergency funds actively contribute to housing stability.
The following section details the most reliable state resources, local emergency programs, and legal protections available should you be experiencing a housing crisis or facing eviction.
State and Federal Housing Assistance Programs
Long-term rental subsidies and housing vouchers are administered through state agencies and regional housing authorities.
Housing New Mexico (MFA)
Housing New Mexico, legally known as the New Mexico Mortgage Finance Authority (MFA), is the state’s central agency for affordable housing finance and community development. Established in 1975, this quasi-governmental entity does not issue rent payments directly to individual tenants; instead, it serves as a primary distributor of federal and state funds to local non-profit organizations, housing authorities, and tribal entities.
If you need to contact the agency regarding general program rules, loan services, or administrative matters, you may do so via the following channels.
Contact Information and Location
Main physical address: 344 4th Street SW, Albuquerque, NM 87102
Mailing address: Housing New Mexico, PO Box 209768, Dallas, TX 75320-9768
Main phone number: (505) 843-6880
Statewide toll-free number: 1-800-444-6880
TTY/Voice accessibility: Dial 711 (or 1-800-659-8331 for English / 1-800-327-1857 for Spanish)
Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) / HOME-ARP Rapid Re-housing Program
The Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) and the HOME-ARP Rapid Re-housing and Homelessness Prevention Program serve as the primary funding sources for addressing immediate housing crises in New Mexico. Centrally administered by Housing New Mexico (MFA), these programs distribute multi-million-dollar federal HUD funds to a specific network of local non-profit organizations.
Because these funds are earmarked for specific purposes, you must apply directly to the local sub-recipient organization managing services in your county.
Where to Apply (By County)
You must contact the appropriate regional partner managing the active fund allocation for your county:
| Active Service Provider | Counties Served | Access Information |
|---|---|---|
| Catholic Charities | Bernalillo, Sandoval | Visit the Catholic Charities Center |
| Enlace Comunitario | Bernalillo, Valencia | Specializes in families fleeing domestic violence. |
| The Life Link | Santa Fe, Rio Arriba, Los Alamos, Taos | Connect via The Life Link Housing Services |
| Alianza of New Mexico | Chaves, Curry, Eddy, Lea, Lincoln, Roosevelt | Apply through the Alianza Housing Desk |
| Community Action Agency of Southern NM | Grant, Luna | HOME-ARP assistance exclusively. |
Moving and Eviction Prevention Assistance Program (MIAEP)
The Moving and Eviction Prevention Assistance Program (MIAEP) is a state-funded, specialized housing safety net designed to support vulnerable tenants facing significant health-related needs.
Administered by the Behavioral Health Services Division (BHSD) of the New Mexico Health Care Authority (HCA), MIAEP provides direct financial subsidies to help eligible individuals retain their housing or secure stable, permanent housing.
Where to Apply (By County)
MIAEP does not accept applications directly at the state level. Instead, the fund is distributed among seven local non-profit organizations that manage service areas spanning three to nine counties each, thereby ensuring coverage for all counties in New Mexico.
| Key Service Provider | Select Highlighted Regions | Provider Information Links |
|---|---|---|
| Hopeworks | Bernalillo / Central NM | Serves active clients already enrolled in their internal case management programs. |
| Presbyterian Medical Services (PMS) | Multi-County Statewide | Access broad clinic networks and regional hubs across rural NM. |
| First Nations Community Healthsource | Urban Tribal & Central NM | Delivers integrated behavioral and housing assistance. |
| Amador Health Center | Doña Ana / Southern NM | Focuses on healthcare and stabilization in Southern NM. |
| Mental Health Resources | Eastern / Southeastern NM | Coordinates rural eastern county behavioral health pipelines. |
Note: Program data obtained via the YES New Mexico portal indicate that the statewide provider network serves approximately 544 households annually. Given strict funding limits, processing relies heavily on direct referrals made by your assigned social worker or behavioral health therapist.
Regional Emergency Rental Assistance
City and county governments administer local safety nets using emergency funds.
City of Albuquerque (Health and Social Services Centers)
The City of Albuquerque’s Department of Health, Housing, and Homelessness manages its local emergency assistance program for rent and utilities directly through four regional Health and Social Services centers. This program targets low- to moderate-income residents living within city limits who are facing imminent eviction or utility disconnection.
Since these funds are distributed based on zip code and strict budget availability, you must submit your application directly to the center assigned to your address.
HELPNM
HELP New Mexico, Inc. (HELPNM) is a major statewide community action agency that operates as a vital safety net for housing and utility needs. Founded in 1965 and recently merged with Chicanos Por La Causa (CPLC), HELPNM specializes in providing rapid emergency financial aid directly to low-income families, seniors, and individuals experiencing sudden crises.
Because available resources fluctuate based on state and federal funding allocations, assistance is structured as a temporary stabilization measure rather than a permanent subsidy.
Main Application Centers and Directories
You must initiate applications or manage resource referrals through the regional office responsible for serving your county:
HELPNM Corporate Headquarters and Central Office
Primary Focus: Serves central counties, including Bernalillo, Sandoval, Torrance, and Valencia. Physical address: 5101 Copper Ave NE, Albuquerque, NM 87108
Direct phone line: (505) 766-4934
HELPNM Northern Region Office
Primary focus: Serves northern counties, including Rio Arriba, Taos, Los Alamos, Mora, and San Miguel.
Physical address: 1302 Calle de la Merced, Española, NM 87532
Direct phone line: (505) 753-6517
HELPNM Southern Region Office
Primary focus: Serves southern and border counties, including Doña Ana, Luna, Otero, and Sierra. Physical address: 2801 E. Missouri, Las Cruces, NM 88011
Direct phone line: (575) 526-2402
Bernalillo and Doña Ana Counties
Bernalillo and Doña Ana counties manage regional housing infrastructure independently of the state and the City of Albuquerque. If you reside in Bernalillo County but outside Albuquerque city limits, or anywhere in Doña Ana County, these county-specific agencies administer local rental assistance programs, Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8), and emergency displacement assistance.
Since local rules vary depending on whether you are seeking an immediate stay of eviction or long-term housing vouchers, you should submit applications directly through your county’s respective office.
Eviction Prevention and Legal Assistance
If your landlord is actively threatening to evict you, there are state-mandated legal resources available to help you keep your home.
New Mexico Legal Aid
New Mexico Legal Aid (NMLA) is a statewide non-profit law firm that provides free civil legal services to low-income individuals, seniors, and victims of violence. They do not handle criminal cases. Their housing law team focuses on defending tenants facing eviction, stopping illegal lockouts, resolving landlord disputes, and preventing the unjust termination of housing subsidies, such as Section 8.
NMLA uses a centralized, statewide intake system to assess applicants’ financial eligibility and the urgency of their cases.
Online Application (available 24/7): You can complete a secure application at any time directly through the New Mexico Legal Aid portal.
Phone Application: Call the statewide intake line at 1-833-545-4357 (1-833-LGL-HELP). Intake hours: Phone lines accept new requests Monday through Thursday during limited daytime hours (generally 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.).
Eviction Prevention and Diversion Program
The Eviction Prevention and Diversion Program is a judicial mechanism established by the New Mexico Supreme Court to resolve housing disputes before they lead to displacement. It operates as a legal alternative to the traditional court process, integrating trained facilitators and mediators directly into the court system to help landlords and tenants reach agreements, thereby avoiding the issuance of eviction judgments. The program functions through an interactive judicial process that offers concrete benefits to both property owners and tenants:
HUD Housing Counselors
HUD-approved housing counselors serve as free, federally certified guides to help tenants and property owners navigate critical housing-related situations. Backed by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), these counselors provide unbiased financial advice, evaluate local assistance programs, and devise immediate strategies to prevent eviction.
Counseling services regarding foreclosure, rent delinquency, eviction prevention, and homelessness are always free.
Central Hotline and Locator Tools
You can connect with a certified counselor from anywhere in the country via HUD’s automated routing infrastructure:
HUD Housing Counseling Hotline: 1-800-569-4287 (or 202-708-1455 for TTY).
Automated map portal: Enter your zip code into the HUD Participating Housing Counselors Directory to find the nearest branch locations.
Alternative search platform: Look up information on local counselors using the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) “Find-a-Counselor” tool.
Steps to get help
Call 2-1-1: Managed by United Way, this service connects you—when you dial 211—with local operators who have real-time, up-to-date lists of church programs, private charitable funds, and county-level rental assistance resources that are currently accepting applications.
Gather documentation: Virtually all local programs require proof of household income (usually below 80% of the area median income), a signed lease agreement, a written notice or landlord account record indicating the rent owed, and official identification.
