Public Policy Position on Housing
Background
The area of housing is a concern which affects all people throughout the state of New Mexico. Housing is one of the basic human needs and its quality is a fundamental ingredient of quality of life for persons and families. Ideally we all have a place which we call home. The spectrum of relationships of persons and families to "home" includes: a) those who own or are buying their own homes; b) those who rent a place which they make their home; c) those who make their homes with relatives or others; and d) those who live in a residential care facility and for whom that facility becomes home.
The lack of adequate, affordable housing is one of the most pressing, continuing problems affecting New Mexico today. Many New Mexicans, in particular the older population, live in very old houses many of which are in dire need of substantial repair. Others, who now rent or live with relatives or other persons, cannot afford even so-called "affordable" housing because of the size of the mortgage payments brought about by the levels of interest rates in today's market. In some areas of the state, for those in the greatest need - the elderly and the handicapped - adequate housing does not exist.
Current Pressing Issues and Needs
- Housing rehabilitation for low income elderly and handicapped -Substandard housing is prevalent in all parts of the state. The 1980 census shows more than 30% of occupied housing to be substandard in a couple of the economically poorest counties. These houses typically have no inside toilets or no hot and cold running water inside the house. Other houses have faulty roofs and walls, which if not up-graded, render the home totally unlivable. Many of these houses are occupied by senior citizens.
- Low interest loans for housing rehabilitation - Many young and middle-aged families, not below the poverty line, are living in deteriorating housing and are finding their homes in an unlivable state. They are unable to borrow money to fix their homes.
- Lack of Adequate and accessible housing for elderly and handicapped - In most areas of the state, housing at an affordable rent for the elderly, who are otherwise self-sufficient, or housing accessible to the handicapped is simply non-existent.
- Energy costs - One of the primary concerns of the poor is their inability to pay rising energy costs.
Policy Position
The New Mexico Conference of Churches supports the goal of adequate and affordable housing for all persons and families in New Mexico. Toward that end, we will support:
- Continuation and expansion of the State Housing Authority's low income Senior Citizen's housing rehabilitation program.
- A program for creation of adequate, accessible housing for the elderly and handicapped in areas where no such housing exists. Such a program might be financed, not from the State's General Fund, but rather by means of a tax-free bond issue floated by the Mortgage Finance Authority for the purpose of multi- family housing units for low income elderly and/or handicapped.
- A program to provide financial means for low income families to cover initial costs of utility deposits required to get into adequate housing.
