Primary Initiative

Housing Abundance
Coalition

Uniting New Mexico's builders, advocates, and policymakers behind a shared agenda of housing supply reform — because New Mexico cannot afford to wait.

New Mexico's Housing Shortage is a Crisis

New Mexico is short by tens of thousands of homes. Conservative estimates put the statewide gap at over 32,000 units — more recent analysis suggests 58,000 or more. Only 41 affordable rentals exist for every 100 low-income households statewide.

This shortage drives up costs for renters and buyers alike, displaces working families, and holds back New Mexico's economic growth. The root causes are regulatory — outdated zoning, slow permitting, excessive fees, and policies that make it harder to build than to block.

"We are not going to fix this problem this session, but we are on the path to taking New Mexico towards housing affordability." — Miles D. Conway, CEO/EVP, New Mexico Home Builders Association, 2026

Get Involved

By the Numbers

32k+
Conservative estimate of current unit housing shortage in New Mexico

41
Affordable rentals available per 100 low-income households (NLIHC)

$175M
Appropriated by NM Legislature in 2026 for housing & homelessness

HB 200
New Homes for New Mexico starter home subsidy program — passed 2026 session

Building Alignment Before Bills Drop

The Housing Abundance Coalition was formed by the New Mexico Home Builders Association and NMBII to build consensus among diverse stakeholders before legislation is introduced — ensuring that pro-housing bills have broad political support when they reach the Roundhouse.

The Coalition operates on a theory of change: that pro-housing and anti-housing forces have friends on both sides of the aisle, and that early coalition-building — not last-minute rushing — is how durable policy reform happens.

Through structured meetings, the Coalition identifies policy platform focus areas, builds shared legislative agendas, and engages policymakers at the New Mexico Roundhouse. Six policy platform focus areas have been identified to build legislation around.

How we work: Building coalitions before the bills drop — this happens now, not in a last-minute rush. Just as anti-housing forces have friends on both sides of the aisle, so do pro-housing forces.

Coalition Partners Include

New Mexico Home Builders Association
Builders, developers, and contractors statewide
Housing advocates and affordability organizations
Real estate professionals and investors
Policymakers and elected officials across party lines

Six Focus Areas for Housing Reform

The Housing Abundance Coalition has identified six policy platform focus areas to build legislation around — addressing the regulatory barriers that make it harder to build homes in New Mexico.

01

Use Tax Policy & Incentives to Expand Attainable Housing

Create targeted tax incentives for workforce and attainable housing developments. Leverage state and local tax tools to bring more projects from drawing board to reality, especially in high-need areas.

02

Modernize Local Zoning & Land Use Codes

Outdated zoning laws are the single largest barrier to housing production. Reform local codes to allow higher density, mixed-use development, and flexible lot configurations — especially near jobs and transit.

03

Streamline Permitting to Reduce Costly Delays

Every month of permitting delay adds cost that gets passed to homebuyers and renters. Reform permitting timelines with clear deadlines, online systems, and accountability measures that respect builders' time.

04

Grow & Support the Construction Workforce

A housing shortage is also a workforce shortage. Invest in construction career pathways for youth and career changers, fund apprenticeship programs, and remove unnecessary licensing barriers to grow the skilled trades workforce.

05

Adopt Cost-Effective Building & Energy Codes

Energy and building codes must balance safety with affordability. Ensure code adoption processes include housing cost impact analysis and allow for innovative, cost-effective building methods that maintain quality and safety.

06

Right-Size Impact Fees & Infrastructure Financing

Impact fees must be transparent, tied directly to actual infrastructure costs, and structured to avoid pricing out buyers and renters. Phase or restructure fees so they don't block the production New Mexico needs.

Coalition in Action

The Housing Abundance Coalition has already achieved legislative victories — and is building momentum for the sessions ahead.

2026 Legislative Session
HB 200 — New Homes for New Mexico
Starter home subsidy program passed in the final hours of the 2026 session. Puts money on the table that helps builders take projects from the drawing board to reality, targeting homes for working families.
2026 Legislature
$175M Housing Appropriation
The New Mexico Legislature appropriated $175 million for statewide housing and homelessness initiatives — the largest housing investment in recent state history.
2025–2026
Coalition Meetings & Platform Development
Two formal Coalition meetings completed. Six policy platform focus areas identified. Legislative relationships built before sessions open — the Coalition's core approach.
2025
NMBII Incorporated as 501(c)(3)
New Mexico Building Industry Institute established as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit to provide the educational and charitable infrastructure for housing advocacy and workforce development.

The Road Ahead

The 2026 session proved that coalition-building works. With broader stakeholder alignment, stronger legislative relationships, and a proven policy platform, the Housing Abundance Coalition is positioned to achieve more in the 2027 session.

Expand Coalition membership across sectors and regions
Advance zoning reform legislation in key municipalities
Build bipartisan support for permitting reform
Connect housing abundance to economic development messaging

Want to be part of New Mexico's housing abundance movement? Join the coalition and help us build the policy reforms New Mexico needs.

Join the Coalition

New Mexico Needs More Homes.
Be Part of the Solution.

Whether you're a builder, developer, policymaker, housing advocate, or concerned New Mexican — the Housing Abundance Coalition needs your voice.