Committee unanimously advances $500,000 appropriation to implement Affordable Housing Act plans

The Senate Health and Public Affairs Committee unanimously voted 9–0 to advance Senate Bill 144, a one‑time $500,000 appropriation from the general fund to the Department of Finance and Administration for Housing New Mexico (formerly the Mortgage Finance Authority) to implement and oversee the Affordable Housing Act.

Nut graf: Housing New Mexico told the committee the appropriation would pay for training, technical assistance, and oversight to help local governments complete affordable‑housing plans and put donation ordinances into practice; the agency said 39 local governments currently qualify to donate under the Act but only about a dozen are actively using the authority.

Key testimony and details Isidoro “Izzy” Hernandez, executive director and CEO of Housing New Mexico, told the committee the agency has shifted from mortgage finance into a broader housing role and now manages dozens of programs statewide. He said the Affordable Housing Act permits local governments to donate funds, land or other resources for affordable housing and that Housing New Mexico oversees and approves qualifying plans and ordinances.

Hernandez said the $500,000 would be used to assist the roughly 27 local governments with approved plans that are not yet actively donating, to provide training and technical assistance, and to support oversight. He said the agency previously received $250,000 in 2019 for similar work and used that money to help nine jurisdictions complete plans.

Supporters and rationale Speakers from housing advocacy groups, builders, the New Mexico Association of Realtors, and municipal officials told the committee the funding would unlock local donations, leverage other capital and support housing projects across urban and rural parts of the state.

Committee questions Senators asked how the $500,000 would be used and whether the funds would be spent on plans, implementation or direct projects. Housing New Mexico said the appropriation is intended for implementation support (plans, ordinances, training and technical assistance) rather than funding construction; donations under the Affordable Housing Act are separate and could be used by local governments for projects.

Formal action The committee moved a due‑pass recommendation and recorded a unanimous vote (9–0) to advance SB 144.

What’s next: With the committee’s due‑pass recommendation, the bill advances to the next stage of Senate consideration.