by Cathryn McGill
Imagine a single-parent household with three dependent children receiving a 30-day eviction notice in the dead of winter—not for failing to pay rent, but due to the property owners’ absolute discretion over lease renewals.
This scenario, sadly familiar to many New Mexicans, underscores a harrowing reality: despite prioritizing housing, numerous residents find the soaring costs of rental housing unmanageable. With 60 percent of International District residents spending over 30 percent of their income on housing and faced with rental prices between $1,200 and $1,700 for a modest two-bedroom apartment, their challenge is exacerbated by stringent credit and income eligibility criteria.
The Uniform Owner Resident Relations Act, the guiding document for landlord/tenant relationships in New Mexico, has seen proposed amendments consistently fail across four legislative sessions. This impasse points to a broader issue: the lack of a principled negotiation framework, as advocated in “Getting to Yes: Negotiating Agreement Without Giving In” by Roger Fisher, William Ury, and Bruce Patton. This approach could facilitate the realization of housing as a human right for all New Mexicans.
In the 2024 Legislative Session, House Bill 293 (HB 293), championed by District 19 Rep. Janelle Anyanonu, appeared to be a viable, win-win solution for all parties. With its innovative public co-signing program, HB 293 aimed to dismantle the barriers faced by individuals with credit and income challenges, offering a pathway to financial stability through comprehensive support services, including housing counseling and credit repair. Despite the bill’s potential and broad appeal, it failed, highlighting the critical need for flexible problem-solving within the rigid framework of legislative processes concerning housing rights.
The journey of HB 293 underscores the stark divide between the non-negotiable need for affordable, stable housing and the legislative hurdles that hinder its realization. The bill’s failure emphasizes the imperative for principled negotiation—leveraging mutual interests, options for mutual gain, and objective criteria—to navigate these challenges effectively.
We are indebted to Rep. Anyanonu, who has exemplified principled negotiation in her tireless advocacy for HB 293. Her dedication, commitment to New Mexico’s citizens, and acknowledgment of housing as a fundamental right reflect the leadership and vision necessary to tackle the housing crisis. Thank you for “Getting To Yes” so quickly, Rep. Anyanonu.
HB 293’s narrative, through the lens of “Getting to Yes,” illustrates that addressing this wicked problem requires not only strategic legislative efforts but also community engagement and support. By employing principled negotiation strategies and acknowledging the contributions of dedicated sponsors, we can and will advance policy alternatives to UORRA to ensure accessible, affordable housing for all New Mexicans—a collaborative endeavor underscored by the promise of impactful, negotiated solutions. In the prophetic words of songwriter Karen Carpenter, “we’ve only just begun.” Join us on April 11 for a meeting to demystify New Mexico’s complex legislative process. RSVP here for access to this hybrid event.
D.R².I.V.E. Demystifying Roundhouse Rules: Introduce • Vote • Enact
Jump into the driver’s seat with the New Mexico Black Leadership Council, Senator Harold Pope, Jr., Representative Janelle Anyanonu, and Representative Pamelya Herndon. Explore how citizens can steer change, navigate community needs, and accelerate transparent and effective change that’s all about the people, by the people, and for the people.
Thursday, April 11
1314 Madeira Dr SE
6pm – 7:30pm
