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The Housing Department is no longer accepting applications for the Windy Point II (2) Project and the Private Allotment Homeownership. They are currently accepting applications for the Windy Point III (3) Project. Call the Housing Department for more information, 575-464-9235.

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Booth Application

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By Dr. Laura Chanchien Parajon and T. Justin Garoutte, MPH, CPH

Monkeypox is a rare disease caused by the monkeypox virus, which is in the same family of viruses that cause smallpox but is much milder. There are currently 22 cases in the state, over 15,000 nationwide, and over 43,000 globally. Like any new disease impacting our state, we at the New Mexico Department of Health (DOH) want to separate fact from fiction so residents can make informed choices to protect themselves. 

Symptoms can include fever, chills, headache, muscle aches and backache, tiredness, and swollen lymph nodes. The best indicator that this is not another infection is a rash that can look like pimples or blisters that appear on the face, inside the mouth, and other parts of the body like hands, feet, chest, genitals, or anus. Some people get the rash before symptoms, or just the rash. While there have not been any deaths in the U.S., monkeypox is still something we need to avoid and prevent.

Monkeypox is spread from person to person through close, personal, and often skin-to-skin contact with the infectious rash, scabs, or body fluids. It can also be spread through respiratory secretions during prolonged face-to-face contact or during intimate physical contact like kissing, cuddling, and sex. Anyone in close, personal contact with a person infected with monkeypox can get it and should take steps to protect themselves. 

While monkeypox is spreading throughout the U.S., we should remember that the risk of getting monkeypox for most people is low, and we do not have to be wiping down our groceries or doorknobs, like we did at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Some have noted a lot of early cases among gay and bisexual men, but we have seen before that infectious diseases move among populations. Since we know that the highest risk is through close, personal contact including intimate and sexual activities, we can all take precautions.

Since our case numbers are low right now, we have an opportunity to help prevent the spread of monkeypox as a community. There are three ways to prevent the spread:  

1. Prevention Behaviors: Since monkeypox is primarily spread by contact, you have to come into either close physical contact with the monkeypox lesions or with items that touched the monkeypox lesions. Therefore, ways to avoid getting monkeypox include: 1) Avoiding skin-to-skin contact with people who have a rash that looks like monkeypox, 2) Avoiding contact with objects and materials that a person with monkeypox has used, and 3) Washing your hands often with soap and water or alcohol-based hand sanitizer, especially before eating or touching your face.

2. Get Tested: If you have a rash that looks like monkeypox, get tested right away. Tests are becoming more widely available in healthcare settings and can also be done at DOH Public Health Offices. Monkeypox testing is free, and you do not need to have an ID or insurance. If you test positive for monkeypox and are eligible for treatment, your provider will also be able to get you access to free treatment through the DOH. 

3. Get Vaccines if Eligible: If you have been exposed or are at high risk for monkeypox, a free monkeypox vaccine is available. Based on CDC recommendations, the vaccine is currently being given to people who have been exposed to monkeypox as well as those who are at high risk of getting monkeypox. The vaccine has few side effects other than pain at the injection site. We have seen impacted communities protect themselves, their sexual partners, and people in their households by registering for the vaccine. So far more than 1,000 people in New Mexico have already chosen to reduce their risk and have received their first of two shots.

If you think you are at risk and are interested in a vaccine or testing, you can receive a confidential consultation with the DOH Call Center at 1-855-600-3453; option 4 for English; option 9 for Spanish. You can also register online at https://monkeypoxnm.org/. For more information about monkeypox visit https://www.nmhealth.org/ and click on the monkeypox tab in the upper right corner.

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DFA launches consolidated effort for emergency housing programs.  

SANTA FE – The State of New Mexico has brought two programs that provide housing aid under one consolidated program to simplify access to emergency housing assistance funds. The newly created New Mexico Home Fund helps homeowners and renters in New Mexico that have been financially impacted during the pandemic cover housing expenses and avoid eviction or foreclosure. The NM Home Fund combines the Homeowner Assistance Fund (HAF) and Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) and can be accessed at nmhomefund.org. 

“My administration has been focused on helping New Mexico residents through these past difficult years. As part of that support, over $167 million in assistance has been provided to renters in just the past 15 months,” said Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham. “Through these expanded efforts, we will be able to provide support to renters and homeowners. Throughout the life of this program, we have been consistently recognized nationally for our innovative approaches to address housing during the pandemic. This consolidated effort is another example of our forward thinking.” 

Over the past two years, New Mexico has been acknowledged by the Federal Government for innovation in rental assistance. This included being the first state to administer a bulk distribution program for utility aid, having the longest-running Court ordered moratorium on evictions during the pandemic, and having an expansive and inclusive housing stability program. 

“We’ve been listening to our community partners, and our mission is to simplify the process as best we can for the applicant so they can stay in their homes,” said Cabinet Secretary Debbie Romero. “Having all emergency housing assistance under one roof just makes sense. This is just one of many steps in our effort to keep people housed. Over the coming weeks and months, we will be launching other components of a larger strategy across the state.”

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 $167M in rent, utility, and relocation aid has been provided to New Mexico renters. Additionally, innovative eviction prevention efforts have also been funded by the NM Home Fund. This has included free legal representation for renters through NM Legal Aid as well as the Eviction Prevention and Diversion program which provides meditation between landlords and renters facing eviction.

The state subsequently applied to and received $55M in federal funds to provide support for homeowners. The Homeowner Assistance Program is now being administered by the State in partnership with the New Mexico Mortgage Finance Authority (MFA). 

“MFA is proud to play such a big part in providing aid to fellow New Mexicans and to help them remain housed,” said Isidoro “Izzy” Hernandez, Executive Director and CEO of the New Mexico Mortgage Finance Authority. “For nearly 50 years we have been working to ensure that all New Mexicans have quality affordable housing opportunities. Administering the Homeowner Assistance Program for the NM Home Fund will be an important part of our history.“

The homeowner portion of the NM Home Fund helps New Mexicans avoid foreclosure due to financial hardship caused during the pandemic. Eligible homeowners can receive assistance for past due mortgage payments, including payments in forbearance, as well as property taxes, home insurance, utilities, and other associated housing expenses. As with rental assistance, this support does not have to be repaid. To date the program has provided over $8M to 1,317 households.

Under the rental program, renters can receive assistance for past, current, and future rent as well as utility payments for up to 15 months. The program has awarded rent aid in every county in New Mexico with 76,068 in awards totaling $167,089,060.84 

General eligibility requirements for homeowners:

• Applicants must occupy the home as a primary residence
• They must have experienced a financial hardship associated with the COVID-19 pandemic
• Have incomes equal to or less than 150% of the area median income
• Original loan balance cannot exceed $417,000.00

General eligibility requirements for renters:

• Be a renter in New Mexico
• Have an annual household income at or below 80% of the Area Median Income
• Have been affected financially during the COVID-19 pandemic
• At risk of eviction or housing instability

Funding for the New Mexico Home Fund has been made available by the U.S. Treasury. Funding for both programs is available until September 2025 or until program funds are exhausted, whichever comes first. 

Individuals interested in applying for assistance may visit www.nmhomefund.org. 

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Starting the week of August 22, 2022:

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