By Rodd Cayton
Albuquerque City Councilors will soon consider an action plan required to secure federal housing aid.
One councilor, however, is concerned about when and whether the city will see that money.
District 6 Councilor Nichole Rogers said Trump administration actions have placed a cloud of uncertainty around the city’s funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
She said federal officials have spoken of overhauling the department, with the Housing Choice Voucher Program (commonly known as Section 8) targeted for deep cuts.
“I’m worried about just how massive these spending cuts are going to be,” Rogers said.
However, Rogers said, Albuquerque’s own housing voucher program is mostly supported by the city’s general fund. In this year’s budget, she said, local money makes up about $10 million of the $14 million total.
She said she’s also buoyed by the inclusion of $110 million in the state budget to support housing, despite Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s line-item veto of language directing $80 million in new housing money to Albuquerque.
Rogers noted Workforce Solutions Cabinet Secretary Sarita Nair is a former chief administrative officer for the city of Albuquerque.
“She knows us well enough to help us quickly,” Rogers said.
The city council’s Finance and Government Operations Committee last week voted to send the action plan to the full council. Rogers said it’s important to get the plan filed on time even if it’s uncertain what the outcome will be.
The plan spells out how the city would divide more than $6.5 million from three federal grants. That money, along with $862,880 in local match and an estimated $121,000 in program income would be directed to meet goals that include protecting the current affordable housing supply, reducing homelessness and increasing access to home ownership and public services.
Mayor Tim Keller sent the proposed action plan to the City Council.
“We urge full support for this critical funding, which goes directly toward uplifting vulnerable populations across our city,” Mayor’s office spokesperson Connor Woods said.