Fair Housing Month | Standing Together for Housing Justice in Albuquerque

April marks Fair Housing Month, when we reaffirm our commitment to equal housing opportunity for all residents of our diverse city. The Fair Housing Act, signed into law in April 1968 just days after Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s assassination, stands as one of our nation's most important civil rights achievements. 

The law protects people from discrimination when renting, buying, or securing financing for housing based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status, and disability. In New Mexico, our state laws provide additional protections against discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity, age, and others. 

Challenges in Our Current Climate 

While we celebrate how far we've come, we must acknowledge the significant challenges we face today. The National Fair Housing Alliance has reported concerns about a national assault on fair housing protections. Many in our community have expressed anxiety about how the current administration's policies might affect housing rights and protections that we've long taken for granted. 

These concerns are valid. At Sol Housing, we recognize that political shifts can create uncertainty for vulnerable populations. However, we remain steadfast in our commitment to housing justice regardless of the political climate. 

The Affordable Housing Crisis in Albuquerque 

Albuquerque, like many cities across the nation, is experiencing a critical affordable housing shortage. Rising rents, stagnant wages, and limited housing inventory have created a perfect storm that disproportionately affects our most vulnerable neighbors. According to recent data, nearly 40% of Albuquerque renters are cost-burdened, spending more than 30% of their income on housing. 

This crisis isn't just about housing—it's about stability, health, educational outcomes, and economic opportunity. When families spend too much on housing, they have less for other necessities like healthcare, education, and healthy food. The ripple effects touch every aspect of our community. 

Sol Housing's Active Response: Two New Developments 

At Sol Housing, we're responding to this crisis with concrete action, like our two affordable housing developments currently in progress: 

Somos Apartments – This development will add 59 affordable housing units and 11 market-rate units in the International District. 80% of the units will be required to have at least one person aged 55 and older, while the other 20% will not have those same limitations. Built with Universal Design throughout the development, Somos provides a home where seniors can age in place as their abilities change. Somos will have a veteran's preference and provide many amenities including a community room, fitness center, bicycle storage, on-site food pantry, and on-site enrichment services. 

Farolito Senior Community – Farolito Senior Community is an 82-unit multifamily apartment community affordable to seniors 55 years of age and older. The community will feature 72 one-bedroom and 10 two-bedroom units with Universal Design features that will allow for aging-in-place and enrichment services to support resident housing stability. The design also includes a community room and adjacent on-site food pantry, fitness center, multi-purpose room, and outdoor courtyard. 

Both developments represent our commitment to not just building housing, but creating communities where people can thrive. 

This Fair Housing Month, let's come together to protect the progress we've made and push forward toward greater housing justice for all. At Sol Housing, we remain committed to working alongside you to create an Albuquerque where everyone has access to safe, affordable housing free from discrimination.