USBC is among several providers funded by the New Mexico Civil Legal Services Commission to help low-income New Mexicans meet basic human needs such as health, safety, education, housing, child custody and financial stability. Below is a list of these providers and additional resources:
New Mexico Rental Assistance Programs and Resources
CABQ Health & Social Service Centers Emergency Rental and Utility Assistance Program
The CABQ Health & Social Service Centers now has an emergency rental and utility assistance program. This program can help Albuquerque renters with unpaid rent and utilities if they are at risk of eviction or utility shut-off.
The criteria for this program are different than the criteria for the NM Emergency Rental Assistance Program. Staff at the Health & Social Service Centers know the rules for both programs and will help connect people to the program that is the best fit for the situation. Funding is limited and all services provided are subject to availability of funds.
More information about the program can be found here:
https://www.cabq.gov/health-housing-homelessness/housing/eviction-prevention
Additionally various local authorities have grants and other financial resources available to assist struggling renters, including the Santo Domingo Emergency Rental Assistance, BernCo Relief of Emergency Needs for Tenants (RENT) Assistance Program, and Doña Ana County Emergency Rent & Utilities Assistance Program. The National Low Income Housing Coalition maintains an updated list of state-based assistance options, which can be found here.
USBC also worked with New Mexico Legal Aid legal on a Renters Guide which can be found here.
New Mexico MORTGAGE AND FORECLOSURE ASSISTANCE
Foreclosure Webinar
Mark Pustay, Managing Attorney for the United South Broadway Center Fair Lending Center, presented a webinar, with Q&A, about the foreclosure process and options available to homeowners facing foreclosure.
A recording of the webinar can be viewed here: Foreclosure webinar
United South Broadway Fair Lending Center
Direct legal representation and educational workshops for homeowners at risk of losing their homes to foreclosure. Consumer education and advocacy on fair housing and fair lending issues.
Service Area: Statewide
Phone: 505-764-8867
Website: unitedsouthbroadway.org/housing
utilities assistance
PNM Good Neighbor Fund
The PNM Good Neighbor Fund is an energy assistance program that enables us to assist low-income residential customer with up to $170 of direct bill payment assistance towards their eletric bill.
Every year, the PNM Good Neighbor Fund distributes tens of thousands of dollars to hundreds of families in our service area for bill payment assistance. This program is funded through the generosity of our employees, shareholders, and customers.
To be Eligible:
Your PNM bill must be past due
Proof of identification for everyone living in the home (adults and children)
Have not already received assistance from the PNM Good Neighbor Fund for the current year.
Provide proof of Income: Provide LIHEAP (Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program) approval letter for the current year, Oct. 2022- Aug. 2023, OR provide household income for all adults in the home.
PLEASE NOTE: Total household income must be at or below 150% of the federal poverty level (FPL) income guidelines presented below:$1,669 - One person in home
$2,289- Two people in home
$2,879- Three people in home
$3,469- Four people in home
$4,059- Five people in home
$4,649 - Six people in the home
$5,239 - Seven people in the home
$5,829 - Eight people in the home
For each additional person, add $590
Learn more and apply here: https://www.pnm.com/good-neighbor-fund
INFANT FORMULA ASSISTANCE
New Mexico Infant Formula Website
In response to the ongoing infant formula shortage, New Mexico officials have launched a new website where parents and caregivers of infants can find infant formula supplies. The website is meant to provide medically reliable information for families with questions about how to ensure their children receive proper nutrition.
Go to website here: https://www.nmwic.org/infant-formula-shortage/
COVID-19 EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE
New Mexico Emergency Rental Assistance Program
As of January 1, 2023, the funds made available by Treasury will soon be fully exhausted and the Department is now transitioning to a program closeout phase of Emergency Rental Assistance. Information about the closeout is below:
They will no longer be accepting new applications for rent and utility assistance beginning January 1, 2023.
All previously submitted applications will continue to be reviewed. They will process and prioritize award applications for those with an eviction notice and first-time applicants.
A maximum of one month of future rent and/or utility assistance will be available to eligible applicants.
Hotel Assistance Program participants will be eligible for a maximum of three months of assistance in one month increments.
The programs in Bernalillo and Doña Ana counties are administered separately and may still be available for residents. Interested applicants should visit those program websites directly (see “Additional New Mexico Rental Assistance Programs” below).
Please note that this change is only for renters. The Homeowner Assistance Fund is still available for homeowners to get mortgage and utility assistance (see “MFA New Mexico Homeowner Assistance Fund” above) and there are still Housing Stability services (housing counseling, job placement support, eviction prevention and mediation, etc.) through 40+ community partnerships and will be available throughout the state.
General
Saving on a Shoestring and Budgeting for the Unexpected
A short video by United South Broadway Corporation housing counselor Deb Norman on how to save and set aside money for emergencies, all on a modest income.
Free Legal Answers Program (American Bar Association)
Have a legal question? If you're income eligible, you can sign up for the American Bar Association's Free Legal Answers Program online and ask up to three legal questions a year on the website, at no charge. A volunteer attorney will answer your question by email. Go to the link below and click “Get Started.”
Website: https://nm.freelegalanswers.org/
US House Committee on Financial Services - Consumer Resources
A number of federal resources are available to protect consumers, investors, homebuyers and renters from hardship, fraud and financial difficulty.
Website: https://financialservices.house.gov/forconsumers/
Black Lives Matter
A comprehensive list of resources compiled by the National Community Reinvestment Coalition (NCRC) that outline various ways to support the BLM movement.
Website: ncrc.org/resources-to-help-support-the-black-lives-matter-movement
New Mexico Legal Aid
Helps low-income families secure and maintain public benefits, affordable housing, safety for domestic violence victims and their children and protection from consumer fraud. Services include a statewide legal helpline, legal representation, outreach, education, training, and pro se clinics.
Service Area: Statewide
Phone: 833-545-4357
Website: newmexicolegalaid.org
CHILDREN AND YOUTH
Pegasus Legal Services for Children
Services to at-risk children & youth including guardianship, homelessness, education, & teen parents.
Service Area: Statewide
Phone: 505-244-1101
Website: pegasuslaw.org
Disabilities
Disability Rights New Mexico
Individual advocacy for persons with disabilities to resolve disability rights problems; advocacy and training to promote, protect and expand the rights of persons with disabilities.
Service Area: Statewide
Phone: 505-256-3100
Website: drnm.org
Native American Disability Law Center
Advocates for legal rights of Native Americans with disabilities.
Service Area: Four Corners
Phone: 800-862-7271
Website: nativedisabilitylaw.org
Immigrants
Catholic Charities
Center for Immigration and Citizenship Legal Assistance
Low cost immigration legal services, including family-based petitions, DACA, and citizenship.
Phone: 505-724-4600
VAWA Immigration Project
Free representation for immigrant victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and child sexual abuse.
Phone: 505-724-4649
Service Area: Albuquerque metro
Website: ccasfnm.org
NM Immigrant Law Center
Legal assistance to asylum seekers, unaccompanied minors, and low-income immigrants facing separation due to deportation.
Service Area: Statewide
Website: nmilc.org
Native Americans
DNA People's Legal Services
Civil legal services to low-income residents of Arizona, Utah, and New Mexico, including the Navajo Nation and six other Native American nations.
Service Area: Northwest New Mexico including: San Juan County, the Jicarilla Apache Nation, portions of the Navajo Nation that are in New Mexico including the noncontiguous Navajo communities of Ramah, Alamo, and To-hajilee
Phone: 505-325-8886
Website: dnalegalservices.org
Native American Disability Law Center
Advocates for legal rights of Native Americans with disabilities.
Service Area: Four Corners
Phone: 800-862-7271
Website: nativedisabilitylaw.org
women and girls
Southwest Women's Law Center
Supports women and girls in New Mexico through legislative advocacy, pro bono engagement, legal research and reporting and coalition building.
Service Area: Statewide
Phone: 505-244-0502
Website: swwomenslaw.org
Navajo Homeowner Assistance Fund
The Navajo Homeowner Assistance Fund can provide enrolled members of the Navajo Nation living on non-reservation lands in New Mexico and Arizona by mid-2024 a total maximum of $125,000 for mortgage payment assistance and home repairs. For information contact Native Community Capital: https://www.nativecap.org/nhoafund/
SENIORS
Senior Citizens' Law Office
Civil legal services for Central New Mexico seniors including direct representation, systemic advocacy, and outreach, education and training.
Service Area: Albuquerque metro
Phone: 505-265-2300
Website: sclonm.org
Victims of Domestic Violence
Enlace Communitario
Civil legal services to victims of domestic violence in Central NM, including: legal representation for domestic matters and orders of protection; and outreach and education. All individuals in need of domestic violence services are welcome, however because of the dire need for bilingual services (Spanish/English), we focus on Latino immigrants.
Service Area: Albuquerque metro
Phone: 505-243-8972
Website: enlacenm.org
Policy & Systemic Change
NM Center on Law & Poverty
Systemic advocacy & related legal services to generate structural changes that mitigate the worst aspects of poverty, improving living conditions, increasing opportunities, and protecting the rights of people living in poverty.
Service Area: Statewide
Phone: 505-255-2840
Website: nmpovertylaw.org