Council directs city to add dedicated rental-habitability enforcement staff, resolution passes unanimously

The Albuquerque City Council unanimously approved R-120 on March 17, directing the city administration to enhance enforcement of existing rental unit habitability standards and to include funding for a dedicated staff position to help renters navigate code-enforcement processes.

Councilor Fiebelkorn, sponsor of the resolution, told councilors the problem is not lack of housing standards but inconsistent enforcement. "Most of those things that we've heard about, these horror stories, are covered. But what we're not doing is enforcing those rules," Fiebelkorn said, explaining the resolution seeks a staff member dedicated to helping tenants report and resolve life-safety issues in rental units. The resolution asks the administration to include the proposed position in the FY26 budget.

Deputy City Chief Operating Officer and Planning Department representatives said the administration supports the measure. Planning stated the city already enforces many housing-related requirements (heating, hot water, locks, stairs, and conditioned space cooling added recently) and noted there is a court enforcement process for unresolved violations. The resolution, however, is intended to provide a city staffer focused on tenants' needs and on expediting inspections and enforcement actions for habitability complaints.

Council members and public commenters said calls to 311 show a high volume of housing-related requests. Planning staff reported nearly 5,000 311 calls related to housing issues across a recent three-month period and said the department has three code-enforcement vacancies; the resolution directs creation of one new position rather than redeploying current staff. Councilor Champine and others urged that the position be adequately supported and that education for both tenants and landlords be part of the effort.

Public commenters, including neighborhood leaders and housing advocates, supported the resolution and urged stronger enforcement and clearer tenant protections. Supporters said a dedicated staff person could help tenants through an often-confusing process and reduce reliance on costly court actions.

Ending: The resolution passed 9-0. The administration and Planning Department will propose implementation language and budget detail for the new position in the upcoming budget process; council members requested follow-up reports on vacancies, inspection response times, and how the new role will be staffed and prioritized.