Enchantment State News

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham has announced that the Office of Housing will relocate from the Governor’s Office to the New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions (NMDWS), aiming to better align job creation with housing strategies and enhance accountability.

“New Mexico has devoted a significant amount of money to solving its housing challenges, and it is essential that this investment leads to tangible progress as soon as possible,” said Gov. Lujan Grisham. “This move will ensure that the Office of Housing has the resources it needs to put these dollars to use solving our state’s housing shortage as we continue pursuing legislation to make the state’s housing and homelessness initiatives permanent.”

The Office of Housing, consisting of four positions, is tasked with developing strategies to tackle the housing shortage and homelessness in New Mexico, working closely with the Department of Finance and Administration to oversee state housing appropriations.

In the forthcoming months, the team is set to propose recommendations regarding the permanent positioning of the state’s housing and homelessness operations.

NMDWS Cabinet Secretary Sarita Nair stated, “Across the state, businesses, job seekers, and our own staff tell us that one of New Mexico’s biggest workforce challenges is the housing shortage. Bringing the Office of Housing together with the Department of Workforce Solutions will enable strong collaboration and accountability. We will leverage our deep connections to communities from Farmington to Hobbs to ensure that the shared vision of rapid and efficient housing expansion becomes a reality.”

The state budget for fiscal year 2026 allocates $110 million to support housing initiatives, including affordable and transitional housing, and expansion of housing services. It also earmarks $2 million each for housing assistance personnel and innovative strategic planning, and $5 million for local government grants aimed at housing encampment response and campsite management.