OPINION: Housing crisis is at critical crossroads

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 We must take bold action and find the political will to remove outdated restrictions that keep our communities poor.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.

Housing costs have never been higher, both to buy or to rent. The Pew study contrasted Albuquerque with Minneapolis from 2017 to 2024. Rents rose 61% in Albuquerque while new homes increased 5.6%. During that same time Minneapolis increased 14.5% new homes and rents actually dropped 2%. Minneapolis simply reformed its zoning laws to allow for more homes.

Zoning laws have historically been a local issue. That has dramatically changed in recent years. Just this year over 80 bills to allow more homes have passed into law in various states. New Mexico is the only state in the Southwest that hasn’t passed statewide reforms. We can modernize these codes at the state level and open the door to more homes in New Mexico. With the governor’s leadership, we can get the following done in the 2026 session:

• We must pass a law to allow apartments to be built on commercially zoned land. This is the single most effective policy change there is. This important tool is very popular as it allows for more homes closer to commerce and jobs.
• We must update restrictive zoning regulations that have blocked multi-family housing developments. We need duplexes, casitas and townhomes — housing that working families can afford. Outdated zoning prioritizes single-family homes on large lots, driving up costs and pushing out those who can’t afford high rents or mortgages.
• We must stop frivolous appeals that delay housing projects. We can no longer allow a small group of individuals to dictate our future. This reform would ensure only those directly impacted can file appeals, cutting red tape and keeping housing projects on track.
• End discretionary permitting. Apartments are not allowed to be built as a matter of right, even if all zoning requirements have been met. Permitting should not be political, it should be done administratively by law. The loudest voice in the room shouldn’t continue to keep our communities’ poor.
• We must eliminate outdated minimum parking requirements. This reform will promote affordable housing and walkable, sustainable communities.

I understand that current zoning restrictions have their reasons for being. The unintended consequences that have exacerbated our housing crisis, however, can no longer justify the status quo. These legislative reforms are about justice, equity and finally confronting policies that have held back our minority communities, working families and young people for generations.

We must have housing that people can afford. A brighter future is in the palm of our hands. If we want an economic future that works for everyone we must reject outdated restrictions that have made homeownership and upward mobility unattainable for so many.

To address these systemic barriers and transform our economy into one that benefits everyone, we need tried and true legislative reforms to tackle the housing crisis in our state. I urge you to stand with me. Let’s choose progress. Let’s build a future where every New Mexican has the opportunity to thrive.