New Mexico is preparing to end its eviction moratorium, in effect since the start of the pandemic. At the same time, a pilot program designed to keep more people in their homes starts today.

The state Supreme Court reviewed eviction-diversion efforts in Illinois and Florida, and believes a similar program in New Mexico will create more successful outcomes after the moratorium ends.

Maria Griego, attorney and director of economic equity for the New Mexico Center on Law and Poverty, said the pilot program aims to resolve housing disputes before eviction occurs.

"There are several other jurisdictions in the U.S. that have eviction-diversion programs," Griego explained. "And they can be a really positive thing if the parties participate, especially now, with all of the rental assistance money available."

The federal Emergency Rental Assistance Program provides up to 18 months of help with rent, including overdue rent. New Mexico's pilot program starts in Curry and Roosevelt counties, and will expand to the rest of the state in March.

In their 30-day legislative session, state lawmakers are also considering House Bill 65, which would give renters more time to make good on rent after their landlord provides written notice of nonpayment.

Griego noted the bill would increase the eviction window from three days to 11 days.

"New Mexico has some of the shortest eviction time frames in the country," Griego pointed out. "There's only eight other states with eviction timelines as short as, or shorter than, New Mexico's, and of those states, we have the third-highest rate of eviction."

Griego emphasized the two-year-long pandemic has exacerbated an existing housing crisis in many cities.

"Our state was in a housing crisis before the pandemic," Griego asserted. "That's why we need long-term protections - sometimes people just need more time, is what it boils down to."

In Albuquerque, New Mexico's largest city, rent increased 8% in 2020 and an additional 23% in 2021, double the national average.

A recent report examines Connecticut's eviction crisis and addresses some solutions to it. The report from Connecticut Voices for Children finds 39% of renters in the state who were not current on rent payments felt they would be evicted in the next two months. That rate was higher for Black and Latino renters, reaching 54% and 56% respectively. The report also finds high absenteeism rates correlate to some kids facing housing insecurity. But, the report takes a look at some short-term policy recommendations to help renters in the state.

Samaila Adelaiye, research and policy fellow with Connecticut Voices for Children, said one of the primary areas of focus was income support.

"When it comes to income and income equivalent supports, we make recommendations for making the Connecticut property tax credit fully refundable and available to renters. Because while renters indirectly pay property taxes, they do not have access to relief through Connecticut's property tax credit," Adelaiye said.

He added they support different pieces of legislation addressing tenant protections. Other recommendations in the report include increasing funding for rental assistance, making a state child tax credit permanent, and sustaining funding for the state's Right to Counsel program. This report is one of a two-part series; the second report will address more long-term solutions.

Although the report provides avenues for alleviating Connecticut's eviction crisis, there are additional questions it raises. Adelaiye noted most of these revolve around renters in the state having enough money for other necessities outside of rent. He said there are numerous issues coming out of the state's housing crisis.

"We know that evictions particularly are the product of the housing affordability crisis is causing more socio-economic harm, increasing financial strain leading in some cases to homelessness."

From here, Adelaiye said the high cost of housing must be addressed, with rent caps being one way to do that. Currently, Connecticut Senate Bill 4 would have included a rent cap, but that was eliminated while the bill was in committee. However, should the bill pass, it will allow for a series of tenant protections including a winter eviction moratorium, making it illegal to evict anyone from December through March.

Ohio's affordable housing shortage has worsened over the past year, according to new data from the Coalition on Homelessness and Housing in Ohio and the National Low Income Housing Coalition.

The report found economic disruptions driven by the pandemic and a shrinking housing supply nationwide have left only 40 units available for every 100 Ohioans seeking affordable housing.

Amy Riegel, executive director of the Coalition on Homelessness and Housing in Ohio, said more than 400,000 low-income residents are currently burdened by steep rents.

"Sixty-eight percent of them are not living in affordable housing," Riegel reported. "And not only are they not living in affordable housing, they are paying more than 50% of their income on rent and utilities. "

According to data from Harvard University's Joint Center for Housing Studies, apartment rents were up 12% nationally in the first quarter of 2022 compared to the year prior, with increases in several metro areas exceeding 20%.

In his executive budget, Gov. Mike DeWine proposed expanding the Ohio Housing Trust Fund and creating an affordable housing tax credit. Riegel explained the tax credit would help spur additional housing development.

"It would allow for the state to add more units through this tool that will build upon current programs that already exist, but take them to the next level," Riegel noted. "We know with what we have today is not enough. So it's now time that we have to add new items."

Recent data from the personal finance company NerdWallet shows Cleveland, along with Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania are the only two cities in the nation ranked as affordable for first-time homebuyers.

Reporting by Ohio News Connection in association with Media in the Public Interest and funded in part by the George Gund Foundation.

Affordable housing is a major concern in Washington state and lawmakers in Olympia are considering a slate of measures to address it.

One option is around funding for the Housing and Essential Needs program, which provides rental assistance for low-income Washingtonians with temporary or permanent disabilities which keep them from working.

Michele Thomas, director of policy and advocacy for the Washington Low Income Housing Alliance, said Gov. Jay Inslee proposed increasing the program's funding by $15 million in his budget, but it would still result in an $11 million decrease this funding cycle.

"Because the program, even with this extra COVID dollars over the last two years, has still not been able to meet the need, we will feel this in our communities," Thomas asserted. "It will feel like a cut, and less people will be served at a time where rents are so high that people desperately need rental assistance."

Thomas stressed the Housing and Essential Needs program is not an entitlement, and so when funds run out, access to the program does as well. She also noted rental assistance through this program ends when people qualify for Social Security benefits, which Thomas said is not enough to keep up with today's rents. House Bill 1260 would change it.

Thomas noted real estate activity funds homelessness services, but is down dramatically, so House and Senate lawmakers should keep this in mind as they craft their budgets.

"If the state doesn't take action to backfill that document recording fee shortfall out of the General Fund state operating budget, every community across the state will see cuts this year to homeless services," Thomas emphasized.

Thomas added keeping people in their homes is a big component of homelessness services, and argued the Legislature needs to take housing pressure off everyone.

"All communities are being impacted by these high rent increases," Thomas pointed out. "And in the end, it costs the state a lot of money if the state wants to try to continue to keep the level of funding consistent with homeless services."

The session is scheduled to end April 23.


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