Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham announced on Wednesday Oct. 12 that the state has provided over $194 million in rental and utility assistance through the first round of funding for the Emergency Rental Assistance Program.

helping 54,717 New Mexico households to avoid eviction and disconnection of utilities.

“We are directly helping families find and keep high-quality housing and empowering them to spend their hard-earned money on other necessities,” she said in a press conference.

Participants received an average of $4,000 for rent and $750 for utilities, with 6,700 landlords participating.

“I honestly can’t say it enough. I’m so grateful to have programs that want to help us New Mexicans by saying, ‘this is the real deal, let me help you,’” said Angelica Aguilar, who lives in Albuquerque’s South Valley and was a recipient of Emergency Rental Assistance Program funds.

The overall program is part of a federal aid package to curb mass evictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Aid for renters was first made available in April 2021 through a collaboration between the Department of Finance and Administration and the City of Albuquerque.

Since that time, over $194 million in rent, utility, and relocation aid has been provided to New Mexico renters throughout the state.

Innovative eviction prevention efforts have also been funded by the New Mexico Home Fund.

According to the Governor, the program will continue under the next round of funding. In partnership with New Mexico Community Trust, the state is also working to provide housing assistance for domestic violence shelters, seniors groups, disabled individuals, and other vulnerable populations.

Access to all programs is available at nmhomefund.org.