NEW MEXICO 

HOMEOWNER ASSISTANCE FUND 

PLAN

Prepared for the U.S. Department of Treasury by the New Mexico Mortgage Finance 

Authority and the State of New Mexico

September 2021 
Contents

Homeowner Needs and Engagement........................................................................................................... 2

Data-Driven Assessments of Homeowners Needs ................................................................................... 2

Income Eligible and Socially Disadvantaged Households..................................................................... 2

Financial Hardship................................................................................................................................. 2

Homeownership Loan and Cost Assistance Programs.......................................................................... 3

Foreclosure Prevention and Defense Fund........................................................................................... 5

Utility Assistance................................................................................................................................... 5

Outreach Needs.................................................................................................................................... 6

Evidence of Public Participation and Community Engagement................................................................ 6

Public Hearings on Community Needs.................................................................................................. 6

Listening Sessions with Organizations and Individuals Representing Eligible Homeowners ...............7

Public Comment Period and Public Hearings on Draft Plan ................................................................. 7

Program Design............................................................................................................................................. 7

Program Descriptions................................................................................................................................ 7

Homeownership Loan and Cost Assistance Programs.......................................................................... 7

Foreclosure Prevention and Defense Program (FPDP)......................................................................... 9

Homeowner Utility Assistance Program (UAP)................................................................................... 10

Methods for Targeting HAF Funding....................................................................................................... 11

Research and Target Audiences.............................................................................................................. 11

HAF Marketing Plan................................................................................................................................. 12

Best Practices and Coordination with Other HAF Participants............................................................... 13

Implementation of Previous Housing Cost Assistance Programs....................................................... 13

Coordination with Other HAF Participants......................................................................................... 14

Performance Goals...................................................................................................................................... 14

Readiness.................................................................................................................................................... 15

Staffing and Systems............................................................................................................................... 15

Contracts and Partnerships..................................................................................................................... 16

Existing and Pilot Programs .................................................................................................................... 17

Homeowner Assistance Fund Pilot Program ...................................................................................... 17

Budget......................................................................................................................................................... 18
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Appendices.................................................................................................................................................. 19

Appendix 1: Homeownership Loan Reinstatement............................................................................ 19

Appendix 2: Homeownership Loan Payment Assistance.................................................................... 20

Appendix 3: Property Charge Default Resolution - Insurance ............................................................ 21

Appendix 4: Property Charge Default Resolution- Taxes.................................................................... 22

Appendix 5: Utility Payment Assistance ............................................................................................. 22

Appendix 6: New Mexico Homeowner Assistance Fund Pilot Program .............................................23

Tables.......................................................................................................................................................... 24

Table 1: Homeowner Households at or below 150% AMI.................................................................. 24

Table 2: Homeowner Households at or below 100% AMI.................................................................. 25

Table 3: Race and Ethnicity of Homeowner Households.................................................................... 26

Table 4: Housing Cost Burden for Homeowner Households with a Mortgage and Annual Household 

Income Less than $75,000 .................................................................................................................. 29

Table 5: Financial Hardship in New Mexico ........................................................................................ 30

Table 6: Forborne and Delinquent Single-Family Loans in New Mexico ............................................30

Table 7: Non-Forborne 90+ Day Delinquent Single-Family Loans ...................................................... 31

Table 8: Likelihood of Leaving Home Due to Foreclosure in New Mexico .........................................32

Table 9: PRC Survey Responses........................................................................................................... 32

Table 10: Housing Condition Issues.................................................................................................... 33
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Homeowner Needs and Engagement

Along with rest of the world, New Mexicans experienced severe hardship since the COVID-19 health 

crisis. Today New Mexico has the second highest unemployment rate the nation.

1 The financial 

challenges facing New Mexicans may only worsen as foreclosure and eviction moratoriums expire and

extra federal unemployment benefits end.

MFA prepared this plan to propose programs for the U.S. Department of Treasury’s Homeowner 

Assistance Fund (HAF) that was passed as part of American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. These programs

aim to mitigate financial hardships associated with the COVID-19 health crisis, including the prevention

of homeowner mortgage delinquencies, defaults, foreclosures, loss of utilities or home energy services, 

and displacement of homeowners. 

Data-Driven Assessments of Homeowners Needs

The following sections provide analysis of homeowners in need for HAF programing in New Mexico. 

Income Eligible and Socially Disadvantaged Households

More than two-thirds of New Mexico’s homeowner population are estimated to meet the HAF income 

eligibility requirements. There are an estimated 371,648 (70.9%)2 homeowner households that are at or 

below 150% Area Median Income (AMI) and 221,920 (42.4%)3 homeowner households that are at or 

below 100% AMI. (See Table 1 for homeowner households at or below 150% AMI by county and see 

Table 2 for homeowner households at or below 100% AMI by county). Further, among New Mexico’s 

homeowner households, 313,704 (59.4%) have a head of household who identifies as a person of color, 

which meets Treasury’s definition of socially disadvantaged.

4 (See Table 3 for race and ethnicity of 

homeowner households by county). 

Financial Hardship

Before the coronavirus pandemic, already 103,842 (33.7%) homeowner households with a mortgage 

had an annual household income below $75,000 and were housing cost burdened.5 (See Table 4 for 

housing cost burden for homeowner households with a mortgage and annual households income less 

than $75,000 by county). While data on housing cost burden since the pandemic has yet to be released, 

responses to the Household Pulse Survey (HPS) indicate widespread financial hardship among New 

Mexico homeowners. On average during Weeks 1 through 28 of the HPS (Week 1 of the HPS covers April 

23-May 5, 2020 and Week 28 covered April 14- April 26, 2021), 44.6% of New Mexican homeowner 

respondents reported experiencing loss of employment income since the on-set of the pandemic. This 

rate is higher among low- and moderate-income groups: 54.8% for homeowner households with annual 

income less than $25,000, 48.8% for homeowner households with annual income between $25,000 and

$34,999 and 45.4% for homeowner households with annual income between $35,000 and $49,999. 

Similarly, some socially disadvantaged groups reported higher rates for this same financial hardship 

indicator: 49.5% for Hispanic or Latino homeowner households, 45.9% of Black homeowner households, 

1 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Unemployment Rates for State. May 2021. 2 MFA calculation based on ACS 2015-2019 5-Year Estimates 3 HUD Comprehensive Housing Affordability Strategy 2013-2017 data 4 Treasury uses the Small Business Administration’s definition of socially disadvantaged individuals as described in 

13 CFR 124.103(c)

5 ACS 2015-2019 5-Year Estimates
3

and 51.6% of multi-racial/other race homeowner households. (See Table 5 for financial hardship in New 

Mexico).

The HPS and other survey projects demonstrate ubiquitous financial hardship associated with the 

coronavirus pandemic and a particularly severe impact on low- and moderate-income and socially 

disadvantaged homeowners.6 Insufficient intervention to mitigate a wave of unnecessary foreclosure 

and loss of wealth could worsen existing housing inequities as households of color have been more likely 

to report being behind on housing payments at double the rate of White households.

7 8

Homeownership Loan and Cost Assistance Programs

Survey and mortgage industry data coupled with partner input justify the need for homeownership loan 

and cost assistance programs, including homeownership loan reinstatement, monthly homeownership 

loan payments, property charge (insurance) default resolution and property charge (taxes) default 

resolution program design elements.

The prevalence of homeowners with forborne loans provides an indication of the pandemic’s impact on 

homeowners’ ability to pay housing costs and the need for assistance. Data from the Federal Reserve 

Bank of Atlanta Mortgage Analytics and Performance Dashboard shows that of April 2021 4.2% of singlefamily mortgage loans in New Mexico were in forbearance. Treasury-supplied data reveals the 

forbearance rate in rural New Mexico is 6%. For low-income homeowners and minority homeowners,

the rates are 5.6% and 5.4%, respectively. The Treasury-supplied data also shows the forbearance rate 

for Federal Housing Administration loans is 8.7% and for United States Department of Agriculture and 

Veteran’s Affairs loans the rate is 7.1% and 4.2%, respectively. While homeowners may defer forborne 

payments to the end of a loan or seek a loan modification to avoid increased monthly payments, doing 

so negatively impacts homeowners’ equity. Further, because of lower down payment requirements, 

homeowners with FHA or VA loans have typically accumulated about half the equity of homeowners 

with GSE loans.

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The prevalence of homeowners with delinquent mortgages also sheds light on the need for homeowner 

cost assistance. Data from CoreLogic Market Trends May 2021 report shows that 3.4% of single-family 

mortgage loans in New Mexico were more than 90 days delinquent. Treasury data shows the 90+ day 

delinquency rate for Federal Housing Administration loans is 10.0% and for United States Department of 

Agriculture and Veteran’s Affairs loans the rate is 9.1% and 5.9%, respectively. While some of these 

borrowers may have forbearance options, a survey of housing counselors reported that two main 

reasons homeowners are going delinquent because they fear a lump sum payment or are unaware of 

forbearance options.10 Assisting these borrowers, regardless of whether a loss mitigation opportunity is 

available, is a critical step towards keeping families housed and preserving equity among low- and 

moderate-income households. 

6 Other survey projects include Consumer Finance Institute’s Survey of Consumers, Mortgage Bankers 

Association’s Delinquency and Forbearance Survey, Urban Institute’s Well-Being and Basic Needs Survey. 7 Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Housing Insecurity and the COVID-19 Pandemic. March 2021. 8 Urban Institute. New Data Suggest COVID-19 is Widening Housing Disparities by Race and Income. May 2020. 9 CoreLogic. Typical Homeowner in Forbearance Has Plenty of Home Equity. May 2021. 10 National Housing Resource Center. Forbearance and Delinquency Summary of Housing Counselor Survey. July 

2020,
4

Relatedly, HPS data on foreclosures highlights the need to act swiftly to prevent homeowner 

displacement, particularly as foreclosure moratoriums expire. During Week 34 (July 21-August 2, 2021)

of the Housing Pulse Survey, 15% of New Mexico homeowner households reported being very likely or 

somewhat likely to have to leave their home due to foreclosure in the next two months. This rate was 

higher for Asian New Mexicans (18%) and non-Hispanic multi-racial New Mexicans (25%). Similarly this 

rate was higher for low- and moderate-income New Mexicans: 38% for households earning less than 

$25,000 and 20% for households earning between $25,000 and $34,999. Neighborhood Watch data 

shows that as of August 2021 already 4,225 FHA borrowers in New Mexico were involved in foreclosure 

proceedings11. Assisting borrowers with homeownership loan reinstatement, monthly homeownership 

loan payments, property charge (insurance) default resolution and property charge (taxes) default 

resolution will not only ease the financial strain the pandemic has caused but may also preserve loss 

mitigation options in the event a future crisis occurs. 

Multiple studies demonstrate that Black and Hispanic borrowers account for a disproportionately high 

share of borrowers with forborne loans or delinquencies.

1213 Further borrowers with loans in 

forbearance or with delinquencies tend to have higher loan to value ratios.

14 Homeownership loan and 

cost assistance programs will help address the exacerbating inequalities that the COVID-19 pandemic 

has caused. 

In addition to quantitative data, several nonprofits that serve homeowners shared during listening 

sessions that there is a continued need for these programs. While one participant stated that the need 

for mortgage payments appeared to have declined recently, others cautioned that delinquencies and 

foreclosure filings will likely rise as borrowers' forbearance agreements expire and foreclosure 

moratoria are lifted. A representative of the state's unemployment agency also suggested that the 

reinstatement of work search requirements for unemployment benefits, as well as the eventual 

expiration of enhanced federal unemployment benefits, could contribute to an increase in the need for 

housing assistance. Several participants stated that homeowners who do not qualify for most 

government assistance programs, such as those with incomes above 80% of the area median income or 

other such income limits are also in need of assistance. 

One nonprofit serving homeowners emphasized that real estate contract purchasers are perhaps in 

greatest need of assistance due to the absence of a judicial process to prevent homeowner 

displacement through eviction. This participant suggested that in addition to the need for monthly 

payment assistance, there is a need for a loan product that could be used to refinance real estate 

contracts.

Finally, participants in listening sessions stated that property tax assistance would fill a significant need 

that has not been filled by other programs, and that property taxes and homeowner's insurance 

11 Neighborhood Watch. FHA Servicer Delinquency Reporting for New Mexico. August 2021. 12 Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia. Inequality in the Time of COVID-19: Evidence from Mortgage Delinquency 

and Forbearance. February 2021. 13 Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Characteristics of Mortgage Borrowers During the COVID-19 Pandemic. 

May 2021.

14 Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Characteristics of Mortgage Borrowers During the COVID-19 Pandemic. 

May 2021.
5

payments may be especially needed in cases in which escrowed amounts are insufficient when property 

values rise. Another participant raised the concern that seniors with reverse mortgages may be in 

danger of foreclosure due to delinquent property tax and homeowners' insurance payments.

Foreclosure Prevention and Defense Fund 

In listening sessions with housing counselors, foreclosure defense legal service providers and foreclosure 

settlement program administrators, participants predicted a forthcoming wave of foreclosure filings 

following the expiration of the federal foreclosure moratorium, followed by a second wave resulting 

from the expiration of forbearance agreements. One housing counseling agency estimated that there 

could be as many as 6,000 to 8,000 homeowners facing either a restart of a judicial foreclosure or a new 

foreclosure filing due to uncured delinquency immediately after the moratoria are lifted. The estimate is 

based on information from district courts and an informal poll of default litigation attorneys. 

Mortgage servicers, legal service providers, and foreclosure settlement program administrators all 

discussed the need for housing counselors to assist homeowners in navigating and applying for loss 

mitigation options as such options vary widely by type of loan and requirements for each option are 

complex. Servicers mentioned the need for housing counselors to triage borrowers, educate them about 

what various loss mitigation options entail, assist in application completion and provide postmodification follow-up. Participants stated that after the 2008 housing crisis, funding for housing 

counselors declined, and many areas do not have the housing counseling infrastructure that is needed. 

One housing counseling agency mentioned that while legal services receive funding from the state, 

there is no state funding source for housing counseling. 

One housing counseling agency cautioned that there are some borrowers who may not have the ability 

to resume payments due to a permanent reduction of income and are in need of housing counselors to 

assist them in pursuing housing options that are affordable to them. Other participants stated that cash 

assistance should be a key component of a HAF program, as there are cases in which payment of arrears 

is needed, such as for borrowers who have private loans that do not have loss mitigation options, 

borrowers who do not qualify for loss mitigation options and borrowers who are able to resume 

monthly payments but are unable to pay their total arrears. Some participants suggested structuring 

cash assistance as a soft second mortgage in order to extend resources.

Utility Assistance 

In April 2021, 33 utility providers responded to the questionnaire that asked about residential accounts 

in arrears. Respondents reported a total of 21,251 accounts in arrears and a total of $32,544,381 in

delinquencies. Since utility companies do not collect data on housing tenure, these figures include both 

renter and homeowner accounts. Dedicating a portion of the HAF funding to utility assistance, along 

with New Mexico’s Low Income Home Energy Allocation Program (LIHEAP), will help households cure 

past due utility payments and avoid disconnection. (See Table 9 for New Mexico Public Regulation 

Commission survey responses.)

In a listening session with utility providers, one provider stated that application requirements for 

assistance programs such as LIHEAP and the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) may be too 

complex, thereby hindering people from receiving assistance. Others suggested that utility providers 

could play a larger role in assistance programs, such as by identifying customers in need, providing 

information on those customers' account balances or applying on customers' behalf. One large provider 

stated that existing assistance programs, whether internal or external, do not meet all of the need, as 
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these programs have caps below what many customers owe and/or income limits that render many 

past-due customers ineligible. This provider also stated that getting customers to actually apply for 

assistance had been very difficult, despite the fact that the provider had employed multiple methods of 

information dissemination, including bill inserts, social media, automated calls and public service 

announcements on television and radio stations. One electric cooperative stated that their staff had 

hand-delivered letters to customers with information on assistance programs, which did result in an 

uptick in customer calls. 

Providers offering payment plans reported very little response from customers. One provider that offers 

both electric and internet service noted that customers resumed internet payments once it lifted its 

moratorium on internet disconnections, but those same customers did not resume electricity payments, 

likely because the moratorium on electricity disconnections was still in place. Other providers have 

found that very few customers have applied for payment plans available to them, and this may be due 

to the moratoria in place. They expect a flood of inquiries once the moratoria are lifted.

 

Outreach Needs

Listening session participants identified the following groups as being in need of assertive outreach: 

rural residents, seniors, communities of color, non-English speakers, refugees and unemployed 

individuals who do not qualify for unemployment insurance. Participants also advocated that assistance 

be provided regardless of immigration status. 

Participants emphasized the need to find appropriate ways to reach at-risk borrowers. A common 

refrain was that many people fear that offers of assistance are scams. This sentiment was echoed in a 

public hearing, in which one commenter from Gallup stated that many people have great needs for 

assistance but are mistrustful of programs and therefore will not apply. Listening session participants 

emphasized the need for outreach through trusted sources in each community, who are members of the 

community and speak the community's language. Community-based organizations, faith-based 

organizations and faith community leaders, organizations led by communities of color, organizations 

serving immigrants and refugees, trusted elected officials and county emergency operations officers 

were identified as trusted entities that could assist in reaching populations in need. Suggestions for 

outreach methods included holding outreach events in which area residents can receive information and

application assistance, enlisting servicers to send program information alongside mortgage statements, 

sending letters signed by a specific person and including the person's contact information, using social 

media to reach younger generations, making direct phone calls and sending SMS messages to individuals 

with active claims in the state's unemployment insurance system. 

Evidence of Public Participation and Community Engagement

MFA facilitated public participation and community engagement opportunities to inform the 

development of this plan that included the following components:

Public Hearings on Community Needs

On May 13, 2021, MFA held two virtual public hearings on the Homeowner Assistance Fund. During each 

hearing MFA presented information on eligible HAF activities and solicited comments from members of 

the public. MFA advertised these hearings on its website, in an e-mail blast to nearly 2,500 of MFA’s 

community partners and in statewide and regional newspapers. In addition to providing information 

about the public hearings, the advertisements also allowed for submission of comments in writing to 

MFA.
7

Listening Sessions with Organizations and Individuals Representing Eligible Homeowners

MFA convened ten listening sessions with over 90 participants from over 50 organizations that 

represent or serve eligible homeowners, organized around the following categories:

• Mortgage/homeowner assistance providers

• Emergency home repair providers

• Foreclosure prevention counseling and legal services providers

• Local government housing agencies and Councils of Government 

• State government agencies

• Mortgage servicers

• Utility providers

Public Comment Period and Public Hearings on Draft Plan

To solicit input on the draft plan, MFA held an initial 7-day public comment period in July 2021 and two 

virtual public hearings on May 13, 2021. Plan drafts were posted to the MFA website, with paper copies 

available upon request. The public comment period, public hearings, and information on how to access 

the draft plan were advertised on MFA’s website, in e-mail blasts to nearly 2,500 of MFA’s community 

partners and on social media platforms Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn. MFA held final 7-

public comment period and public hearing in September. A summary of all comments on the draft plan 

and responses to those comments are included below.

Summary:

During the first public comment period, one comment was received from United South Broadway 

Corporation related to participation in marketing and statewide outreach efforts. During the second 

public comment period held for the revised draft, no comments were received within the deadline. One 

late comment was submitted related to HOA/COA delinquencies. 

Program Design

HAF funding will be used for three categories of programs: homeownership loan and cost assistance

(which includes four program design elements), foreclosure prevention and defense, and utility 

assistance. The following sections describe general program design component of these categories, 

including eligibility requirements, intended impact on eligible homeowners, the application process, 

conditions and limitations, a description of the payment process and other available sources of 

assistance for targeted homeowners for each program. Detailed descriptions of each program design 

element, with the exception of foreclosure prevention and defense, are covered in the term sheets

(Appendix 1-6).

Program Descriptions

Homeownership Loan and Cost Assistance Programs

Cumulatively homeownership loan and cost assistance programs will provide up $20,000 per eligible

household for four programs: homeownership loan reinstatement (refer to Appendix 1 for term sheet), 

homeownership loan payment monthly assistance (refer to Appendix 2 for term sheet), property charge 

default resolution(insurance) (refer to Appendix 3 for term sheet) and property charge default 

resolution (taxes) (refer to Appendix 4 for term sheet). MFA will make assistance payments directly to 

the mortgage or loan servicer, escrow company or other housing provider and the assistance does not 
8

have to be repaid. MFA anticipates allocating $35,000,000 to the Homeownership Loan and Cost 

Assistance Program. 

Eligible homeowners who have delinquencies that exceed the household maximum and/or require

foreclosure and/or eviction legal and/or housing counseling services will be referred to the Foreclosure 

Prevention and Defense Program.

MFA recognizes that there is not a one size fits all solution to the challenges faced by homeowners. MFA 

intends to assist homeowners to meet the needs of those most negatively impacted by the COVID 19 

pandemic and will continue to adjust program elements based on those needs. Homeowners who are 

working with their mortgage servicer to complete loss mitigation will have the opportunity to 

incorporate HAF into their default resolution. 

Eligibility requirements

Homeowners are eligible to receive homeownership loan and cost assistance if they (1) attest that they 

experienced a financial hardship after January 21, 2020 associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, (2)

provide income documentation and have incomes equal to or less than 150% of the area median income 

or 100% of the median income for the United States, whichever is greater, and (3) currently own and 

occupy a primary residence in New Mexico.

Homeowners include those with a mortgage, deed of trust, or other consensual security interest on a 

principal residence and homeowners with consensual contractual agreements on a principal residence 

such as real estate contracts, lease-purchase contracts, mobile/manufactured home loans, chattel loans 

and/or land contracts. 

Eligible properties include single-family residential properties, condominiums and townhomes, 

manufactured homes permanently affixed to real property and taxed as real estate, and mobile homes 

not permanently affixed to real property.

Additional eligibility and documentation requirements can be found in the term sheets in appendices 1-

5.

Intended impact on eligible homeowners

The intended impacts of the program include eliminating or reducing past due housing payments and 

other housing related costs, to return homeowners to an affordable housing payment, to help 

homeowners avoid foreclosure and eviction, to mitigate stripping of home equity, and, ultimately, to 

maintain homeownership.

Application process

Applicants will apply through an online portal that is an expansion of the existing New Mexico 

Homeowners Assistance Fund Pilot Program. Applications in English and Spanish will be available both 

online and in paper format. Applicants can also request a paper application be mailed to their residence.

MFA has a dedicated team of professionals to assist applicants submit a complete application.

Conditions and limitations
9

Funding for homeownership loans and cost assistance will be limited to $20,000 per household. Per 

Treasury guidelines, 60% of funds will be set aside for the homeowners having incomes equal or less 

than 100% of the New Mexico AMI or less than 100% of the median income for the United States, 

whichever is greater, and 40% of funds will be available for 150% New Mexico AMI and below or less 

than 100% of the median income for the United States, whichever is greater and will be prioritized for 

those who are socially disadvantaged15. Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC) loans are ineligible. 

Payment process

MFA will disburse HAF assistance directly via check or electronic funds transfer to the mortgage 

lender/servicer, land contract holder, manufactured/mobile home lender and/or other housing provider 

as appropriate.

Other available sources of assistance for targeted homeowners

The homeownership loan and cost assistance programs will be the only programs that provide housing 

cost grants to significantly reduce delinquency for homeowners. Community Services Block Grant 

(CSBG) funding may be available in the future for this type of assistance but will likely be very limited. 

Foreclosure Prevention and Defense Program (FPDP)

The Foreclosure Prevention and Defense Program (FPDP) will be used to fund HUD-certified Housing 

Counseling Agencies (HCAs) and Legal Services Providers (LSPs) (taken together, “Intermediaries") who 

will provide housing counseling and legal services to borrowers at risk of foreclosure and those in need 

of financial counseling services or assistance with loss mitigation negotiations. MFA anticipates 

allocating $2,788,634 to FPDP.

Eligibility requirements

If homeowners satisfy the general eligibility requirements outlined in the Treasury guidance, they qualify 

for FPDP participation. Homeowners will be referred for housing counseling services if they require 

assistance accessing loss mitigation options. In addition, homeowners who are facing foreclosure and 

eviction may receive legal services and/or housing counseling services and leverage homeownership 

loan and cost assistance programs to pay down delinquent payments.

Only HUD- approved Housing Counseling Agencies will be eligible to receive grant funding. Eligible Legal 

Services Providers must have demonstrated experience in delivering foreclosure intervention and 

employ attorneys who are licensed to practice law in the state of New Mexico. 

Intended impact on eligible homeowners 

The intended impact is to provide free of charge housing counseling and legal services for New Mexico 

homeowners experiencing a continued financial hardship resulting in housing payment default and 

those facing foreclosure or eviction. 

HCAs can provide hands-on assistance to address unique financial circumstances and housing issues, 

focusing on ways of overcoming specific obstacles to achieving a housing goal, including foreclosure 

15 Eligibility is limited to 150% of New Mexico Area Median Income for all applicants
10

avoidance and resolving a financial crisis. This service provides homeowners the assistance they need to 

ensure they are properly evaluated by housing providers for all options for which they are eligible. 

Additionally, HCAs and LSPs are able to provide assistance to New Mexicans in cases where the home is 

no longer affordable due to a permanent reduction in household income, while maintaining a 

homeowner’s dignity and avoiding the socio-economic trauma and long-term financial impacts of 

foreclosure. Legal service providers will ensure homeowners are represented during judicial proceedings 

and are able to provide legal advice. 

Application process

Intermediaries will be contracted through an RFP process, and funds will be awarded to Intermediaries 

with demonstrated experience in foreclosure intervention and loss mitigation counseling.

MFA will identify eligible homeowners from the homeownership loan and cost assistance programs

using established criteria and refer them to the Intermediaries. The application system also allows for 

HCAs to work with applicants directly to complete an application, perform an eligibility review and be 

approved for HCA or LSP assistance separately from the homeownership loan and cost assistance 

program. 

Conditions and limitations

This program will be limited to an aggregate amount up to 5% of the funding from the HAF received by 

the HAF participant.

Payment process

MFA will administer the grant(s) awarded to each eligible Intermediary. The Intermediary will complete 

services and provide reporting, documentation, and outcomes to MFA. MFA will implement an agreedupon draw schedule to fund awardees. 

Other available sources of assistance for targeted homeowners

Of the 13 judicial districts in New Mexico, roughly half have formal foreclosure mediation and 

settlement programs (FSPs). There are a limited number of HCAs and non-profit legal service providers 

in New Mexico who provide services to a more limited group of income eligible homeowners. Housing 

counseling resources are scarce in New Mexico so one goal of this program is to increase access to these 

services for more New Mexicans. 

Homeowner Utility Assistance Program (UAP)

The Homeowner Utility Assistance Program (“UAP”) provides payment assistance on delinquent utility 

payments directly to utility providers. Utilities included are electric, gas, home energy and water. The 

program will be administered the State of New Mexico Department of Finance and Administration 

(“DFA”). MFA anticipates allocating $5,270,292 to UAP. (Refer to Appendix 5 for Terms Sheet).

Eligibility requirements

Homeowners are eligible to receive amounts under the Utility Assistance Program if (1) they certify they 

experienced a financial hardship after January 21, 2020, (2) are the owner-occupant of a residence in 
11

New Mexico and (3) provide appropriate income documentation showing they are at or below 150% of 

area median income as well as delinquency documentation.

Intended impact on eligible homeowners

The intent of UAP is to fund delinquent utility payments for homeowners experiencing a financial 

hardship associated with the COVID-19 health crisis.

Application process

Applicants will apply to the program through a portal that is an expansion of DFA’s Emergency Rental 

Assistance Program (ERAP) software system. 

Conditions and limitations

The maximum benefit may not exceed $1,000 per household annually, including any LIHEAP assistance.

Payment process

Assistance is remitted by DFA directly to utility providers or other applicable third-party authorized to 

collect eligible charges.

Other available sources of assistance for targeted homeowners

LIHEAP is the primary source of utility assistance, although many utility providers offer payment plans. 

CSBG may also be a source for utility assistance, which is administered through Community Action 

Agencies (“CAAs”). The State of New Mexico does not believe current programs meet the entire need 

for utility assistance.

Methods for Targeting HAF Funding

Effectively and equitably promoting the Homeowner Assistance Fund will require a non-traditional 

approach to marketing and advertising. In order to overcome the significant disparities between urban 

and rural homeowners in New Mexico, as well as an a-typical media landscape, the HAF campaign will 

use a combination of traditional grasstops marketing and advertising, as well as audience specific

organic outreach strategies. Both of these elements will be heavily informed by data acquired before 

and during campaign execution. 

Research and Target Audiences

The media campaign will be firmly rooted in data that directly feeds into effective media and messaging 

strategy. The first element for a media campaign is to develop a deep understanding of our target 

audiences and develop clear messaging and action-items for the HAF campaign. 

The HAF media plan will effectively target outreach and resources to two main audiences:

1. Homeowners having incomes equal to or less than 150% of the area median income or 100% of 

the median income for the United States, whichever is greater; and

2. Socially disadvantaged individuals. 

The first step for understanding our target audiences will include intensive market and programmatic 

research. This includes creating consumer profiles from nationally syndicated sources to define 

appropriate mechanisms to reach key audiences. Examples of marketing mechanisms include paid 
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media channels (e.g., television, radio), digital, social media, and non-paid media, such as grassroots 

outreach. Due to socio-cultural and geographic variations, some of our target audience may not 

consistently engage with traditional paid advertising, which will make our community engagement 

strategy all the more important. 

The second element to understand our audiences stems in programmatic research. Programmatic 

research helps us understand barriers to awareness and access for public housing assistance, as well as 

general barriers to awareness and access for public assistance and funding. By analyzing our target 

audience, we will arrive at the most effective means to reach them with messaging, but even more 

importantly, their psychographic and demographic trends. 

This phase, will be heavily informed by a recent statewide survey of New Mexico families regarding 

awareness and perceptions of various public assistance, including housing assistance. The survey was 

conducted by a nationally recognized research and polling agency and provides important data on our 

intended audiences for HAF. 

Finally, the media campaign will utilize data from the pilot program to identify important characteristics 

of interested households. The pilot program provided insights into socio-demographic or geographic 

gaps where additional targeted marketing may be necessary in order to ensure equitable campaign 

outcomes. 

From the audience analysis, polling, and research, the HAF media campaign will be best suited to 1) 

identify marketing strategies and mechanisms that most efficiently reach out target audiences, and 2) 

develop the messaging and branding for the HAF campaign. 

HAF Marketing Plan 

An effective multi-channel media strategy starts with a clear key performance indicator and means of 

measurement. We will measure success using the following benchmarks: 1) web and call center traffic, 

2) number of applications, and 3) amount of HAF funds distributed. 

The HAF outreach and marketing campaign will include both traditional media and grassroots marketing 

efforts. The traditional media arm of the campaign will serve as a mechanism to spread awareness 

around HAF and the available funds/resources for New Mexico families. Traditional media includes, but 

is not limited to, broadcast and cable television, digital marketing, social media, and print advertising 

(newspaper, magazine).

The media campaign will utilize data to regularly adapt campaign messages, placement, and tactics to 

ensure it is effectively reaching target audiences and implementing appropriate technologies and 

findings. The campaign will optimize towards highest performing audience segmentation, creative 

messaging, and tactical approaches. On an ongoing basis, the campaign will: 1) review applicants' 

demographic characteristics and areas of residence to determine whether applicants are representative 

of eligible populations and 2) employ new outreach and marketing strategies as necessary. 

Outreach through Community Organizations and Trusted Messengers

A non-paid grassroots outreach campaign and community engagement actions will be vital tactics in 

prompting participants to start and complete the HAF application process. We will cultivate and 
13

resource trusted messengers in local, nonprofit, and civic organizations to engage and support 

participants in the application process. 

Additionally, through a series of training sessions, the campaign will establish partnerships with housing 

agencies, legal aid organizations, and educational organizations to utilize trusted messengers to spread 

awareness and support applicants in the housing assistance process. These tactics will expand the reach 

of the campaign, while concurrently shortening the distance between potential participants and trusted 

messengers. 

While all eligible homeowners will be encouraged to apply, the campaign will leverage centralized 

outreach sources where many households can be reached with existing communications. This includes 

those homeowners who have mortgages through existing State, Federal, and local programs that target 

low- and moderate -income borrowers. The campaign will provide custom materials for their specific 

outreach needs. 

All associated marketing and outreach efforts will be conducted in both English and Spanish. Some 

outreach support will be provided in less-frequent but present languages such as Vietnamese. 

Best Practices and Coordination with Other HAF Participants

Implementation of Previous Housing Cost Assistance Programs

In the development of this plan and the proposed HAF programs, MFA and DFA have drawn on best 

practices from other housing cost assistance program implemented since the COVID-19 pandemic: 

COVID-19 Housing Cost Assistance Program/Homeowner Assistance Program, Coronavirus Relief Fund 

(CRF) Housing and Homelessness Assistance Program, New Mexico Housing Trust Fund COVID-19 Rental 

Assistance and the New Mexico Emergency Rental Assistance Program. The lessons learned from these

programs are 1) reduce barriers to entry for applicants to complete an application, 2) minimize internal 

complexities, and 3) target marketing to reach hard to serve populations.

Addressing challenges applicants faced supplying supporting documents required by the application 

proved to increase the success rate of funding eligible households. MFA created easier-to-complete

applications by removing the provision that applicants provide documentation to evidence negative 

financial impact resulting from COVID-19. This requirement proved so difficult for applicants 

to satisfy that many households in need were denied funding. MFA replaced this requirement with a 

self-certification form that led to a higher rate of eligible applications. To further enhance applicant 

success, MFA trained its staff to provide a high level of customer support to applicants to gather 

documentation that could not be replaced by self-certification. 

MFA learned that well-intentioned internal complexities have unintentional negative consequences. For 

example, prioritized selection based on certain criteria creates a significant logistical constraint on 

reviewing applications and disbursing awards. Discrete application windows, rather than on-going 

opportunities to apply, result in delayed funding approvals for applicants. MFA improved program 

efficiency by eliminating a “two-tiered” review process while maintaining quality control and peer 

review measures in the application review process.

Finally, reaching hard to serve populations demands targeted marketing and partnership with social or 

community service agencies. Sending mailers directly to households in extremely low-income zip codes 

improved program awareness among communities that may not have otherwise known about the 
14

program. Groups such as the elderly, non-English speakers, and rural households have limited access to 

internet, and despite the availability of a paper application, struggled to complete all components of the 

application. Partnerships with social or community service agencies helped these populations complete 

applications and receive funding. 

Coordination with Other HAF Participants 

MFA has actively participated in online community forums and weekly videoconferences convened by 

the National Council of State Housing Agencies (NCSHA) and has worked with other state Housing 

Finance Authorities (HFAs) in the western region to share information about program design and 

logistics. During weekly calls, HAF participants have the opportunity to share program ideas and align

best practices, discuss obstacles and leverage the experience of our nationwide housing finance 

network. MFA, along with NCSHA, and many other HAF participants are also meeting regularly with the 

Housing Policy Council (HPC), a trade association whose members are among the nation’s leading 

mortgage originators, servicers, insurers & data/settlement service providers, to discuss standardization 

of mortgage assistance and reinstatement programs nationwide.

In addition, NCSHA hosts an online library where HAF administrators can access forms, policies, best 

practices, and program guides to name a few resources. In addition, MFA has participated in 

videoconferences with USDA and Freddie Mac to gain an understanding of the loss mitigation options 

offered by each. Finally, through our listening sessions, as described in the section Evidence of Public 

Participation and Community Engagement, MFA has solicited input on homeowner needs and program 

design considerations from a variety of organizations serving homeowners, including servicers that 

operate in multiple states. 

By leveraging the National Council of State Housing Agencies, MFA has access to contacts at the largest 

FHA, VA, and USDA/RD servicers, and private label servicers. MFA has staff dedicated to servicer 

outreach meant to inform servicers who can, in turn, inform their customers. 

Performance Goals

MFA will measure its success in targeting of vulnerable populations and impact reducing mortgage 

delinquencies through its HAF performance based on the outcomes listed in the table below. 

Program Design Element Metrics of Success Goal 

Homeownership Loan Payment 

Assistance

Number of households that receive 

at least one month of 

homeownership loan payment 

assistance

Assist 700 households with at least 

one monthly housing cost payment

Homeownership Loan 

Reinstatement

Number of households that receive 

assistance to reinstate mortgages 

Assist 1,300 households to reinstate

housing cost delinquency

Utility Payment Assistance Number of households that receive 

assistance for utilities (e.g., electric, 

gas, home energy, and water)

Assist 5,200 households with utility 

payments

Property Charge (Insurance) Default 

Resolution

Number of households that receive 

assistance for homeowner’s

Assist 750 households with 

homeowner’s insurance charges
15

insurance, including flood 

insurance. 

Property Charge (Taxes) Default 

Resolution

Number of households that receive 

assistance for delinquent property 

taxes to prevent homeowner tax 

foreclosures

Assist 175 households with 

delinquent property tax charges

Readiness

The State and MFA submit the following readiness assessment as assurance of our ability to effectively 

deliver the proposed programs. 

Staffing and Systems

HAF will be jointly administered by the State and MFA. The State will administer the Utility Assistance 

Program (“UAP”) and will oversee marketing and outreach. The State has entered into a grant 

agreement with MFA to oversee the HAF planning process as well as administer a pilot program for 

homeownership assistance. Following acceptance of the HAF Plan, the State will amend its grant 

agreement with MFA, and MFA will administer the Foreclosure Prevention and Defense Program 

(“FPDP”) and homeownership loan and cost assistance programs, which are described in more detail in 

Program Design above.

The New Mexico Department of Finance and Administration provide professional and coordinated policy 

development, analysis, oversight and leadership for initiatives for the State of New Mexico. DFA uses 

best practices and data-informed decisions for the most efficient and effective use of the public’s tax 

dollars. 

The Department employs over 153 staff among six divisions to accomplish this work. These divisions 

include Administrative Services, Financial Control, Local Government, Board of Finance, Budget, and 

Office of the Secretary. Collectively these Divisions support the Departmental focus areas of Fiscal 

Strength and Stability, Quality Services and Thriving Communities. The Department will utilize existing 

and augmented staff, contracted support, and cross-agency partnerships to ensure effective program 

delivery, compliance, and reporting. 

Additionally, the program will be overseen by senior Department Staff from both the Office of the 

Secretary and the Local Government Division.

MFA is the state’s housing finance agency, established by the state legislature in 1975 to help provide 

safe, quality affordable housing and related services for low- to moderate-income New Mexicans. MFA 

is a public body corporate, separate and apart from the State. The organization has 105.5 full time 

equivalents (FTEs) to help ensure we accomplish our mission of being “New Mexico’s leader in 

affordable housing.” MFA administers the state’s housing programs from assistance for individuals 

experiencing homelessness to first-time homebuyers and beyond. Some of our longtime programs 

include: mortgages for low- to moderate-income homebuyers along with down payment assistance; 

HOME Investment Partnerships funding for home rehabilitation; Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) 

funding for rental assistance; federal housing vouchers; various federal and state financing sources for 

subordinate development financing; and the Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) program. MFA’s 
16

experience in these programs includes partnering with agencies, working with clients, managing funding

and ensuring compliance with all program requirements.

MFA has experience and readiness to quickly and effectively implement HAF programs proposed. 

Following the onset of the pandemic, MFA has started administering rental and homeownership

payment assistance through various sources, including: Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security 

(CARES) Act Coronavirus Relief Funds; CARES Act Community Development Block Grant (CDBG-CV) 

funds; and New Mexico Housing Trust Fund. 

This new role led MFA to establish a dedicated in-house, full-time team to administer this assistance, 

and this team is still active today and is currently administering the New Mexico Homeownership 

Assistance Fund pilot program, which provides housing payment assistance for homeowners that have 

experienced financial hardship associated with COVID-19 that are delinquent on their homeownership 

payments. MFA (1) has established policies and procedures for this program, (2) is running a call center 

providing customer support, (3) has trained staff on income qualification and high-touch customer

assistance, (4) has procured and is utilizing a technology system to help ensure compliance and accurate 

reporting to Treasury, and (5) identified mortgage servicers and conducted targeted outreach to engage 

servicers in program awareness campaigns. This 12-person team is led by Amanda Mottershead-Aragon 

and Samantha Vigil, who have 28 years of combined experience in income qualification and affordable 

housing compliance. To date, the team has qualified and provided housing assistance to more than 

6,150 households through the HAF Pilot Program and a variety of non-HAF funding sources. MFA’s 

proposed permanent program is closely aligned with the ongoing pilot, and MFA stands ready to 

implement immediately upon Treasury approval.

Contracts and Partnerships

The primary partnership guiding the use of New Mexico’s HAF allocation is that between the State of 

New Mexico and MFA. The State recognizing MFA’s expertise in housing issues and low- and moderateincome populations entered into a grant agreement on May 12, 2021 that tasks MFA with responsibility 

for the HAF plan development and pilot program administration. Under this contract the State acts as 

the oversight entity.

To support the administration of the pilot and long term HAF programs, MFA and the State have 

executed contracts with software developers to create online systems for application in-take and 

management. Since September 2020 MFA has worked with Neighborly to develop and launch the 

software for the COVID-19 Housing Cost Assistance Program/Homeowner Assistance Program, and pilot 

programs. Under its contract with SalesForce for the online system deployed for the Emergency Rental 

Assistance Program, the State will create an application and applicant management portal for the Utility 

Assistance Program. MFA also has established a relationship with Robert Half, a temporary staffing 

agency, to ensure sufficient organizational capacity to deliver the Homeowner Assistance Fund pilot and 

long-term programs.

Throughout the course of the planning process and during the early stages of the pilot program 

implementations MFA has been cultivating relationships with mortgage servicers as well as agencies 

that will provide services under the Foreclosure Prevention and Defense Fund. Finally, the State has 

established relationship with utility providers during the implementation of its Emergency Rental 

Assistance Program (ERAP). The State will use its ERAP infrastructure to remit assistance for approved 

applicants to utility providers.
17

Existing and Pilot Programs

MFA launched two pilot programs, one of which was funded with HAF. The length of the pilot programs 

will be a minimum of six months or until budgeted funding is expended. Though pilot funds are not yet 

fully expended, lessons learned from the launch of this program has guided the development of this 

plan.

Homeowner Assistance Fund Pilot Program

On May 18, 2021, MFA launched a Homeowner Assistance Fund pilot program (HAF Pilot Program) to 

provide mortgage, real estate contract, mobile home loan, mobile home lot, property tax and 

homeowner’s insurance assistance, to eligible homeowners who are delinquent on their payments. This 

pilot was funded with HAF. Homeowners must have a household income at or below 100% of the area 

median income. The program provides a maximum of $10,000 of housing assistance per household and 

serves eligible households statewide. MFA and the State have allocated $1 million to this pilot program.

(Refer to Appendix 7 for Term Sheet).

Individual homeowners apply to the program via an online application system or by paper application. 

MFA staff review eligibility and follow up with applicants if further information or documentation is 

needed. Upon approval, payment is disbursed to the applicable housing provider, such as the loan 

servicer, escrow company, mobile home lot owner/manager, etc.

The program was open from May 18, 2021 through August 16, 2021. As of August 31, 2021, a total of 

1,694 individual applications were submitted. Of which, 810 files have been or are approved to be

funded for a total of $4,016,775 in assistance. Remaining applications are pending review, and MFA 

anticipates the full initial pilot allocation of $4.7 million will be expended in the program. 

Average Payment Race of Funded 

Applicants

Ethnicity of Funded 

Applicants

AMI Level of Funded 

Applicants

$2,960.42 83% White

17% Black/African 

American

57% Hispanic/Latino

44% NonHispanic/Non-Latino

33% at 30% AMI

17% at 50% AMI

17% at 60% AMI

33% at 80% AMI
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Budget

The U.S. Department of Treasury allocated $55,772,684 to New Mexico under the Homeowner 

Assistance Fund. The State of New Mexico, in partnership with MFA, is requesting $55,772,684 in 

funding for the following programs: 

HAF Funds by Program Design Element 

Homeownership Loan Reinstatement $ 22,155,000.00 

Homeownership Loan Payment Assistance $ 12,250,000.00 

Payment Assistance for Homeowner’s Utilities $ 5,270,292.00 

Payment Assistance for Homeowner’s Insurance $ 105,000.00 

Payment Assistance for Delinquent Property Taxes $ 490,000.00 

Other measures to prevent homeowner displacement16 $ 4,671,917.00 

Foreclosure Prevention and Defense Counseling or 

Educational Services $ 2,091,475.50 

Foreclosure Prevention and Defense Legal Services $ 697,158.50 

Program Administration (MFA and DFA)17 $ 8,041,841.00

TOTAL $ 55,772,684.00 

16 Amount spent on HAF pilot program. 17 Includes admin for pilot administration.
19

Appendices 

Appendix 1: Homeownership Loan Reinstatement 

Criteria Program Terms

Brief description The Homeownership Loan Reinstatement Program will provide up $20,000 per household to eliminate 

delinquencies and reinstate, including the current month (delinquency plus one month).

HAF Funds may be used to bring the account fully current, with no remaining delinquent amounts, and to 

repay amounts advanced by the lender or servicer on the borrower’s behalf for property charges, including 

property taxes, hazard insurance premiums, flood or wind insurance premiums, ground rents, 

condominium fees, cooperative maintenance fees, planned unit development fees, homeowners’ 

association fees or utilities that the servicer advanced to protect lien position. Payment may also include 

any reasonably required legal fees. HAF Funds may be used for a partial reinstatement if the full 

reinstatement amount exceeds the household maximum.

Homeowner households who are working with their homeownership loan servicer to complete loss 

mitigation will have the opportunity to incorporate HAF into their default resolution as allowed by servicer 

procedures and investor guidelines. Servicers should inform the homeowner households who are in 

default of the availability of the funds and should encourage homeowner households to apply for funding 

to assist with lump sum reinstatement. 

Assistance will be available for households without access to loss mitigation or that have already 

exhausted loss mitigation. HAF funds may also be used prior to or during the loss mitigation process. To 

the extent the Common Data File (CDF) is implemented by a servicer, the Participant will utilize the 

process to verify ongoing loss mitigation activity and to facilitate assistance.

Maximum amount 

of assistance per 

household

Each household will be eligible for up to $20,000 of HAF funding to be used only for the homeowner’s 

primary residence. 

If a household is requesting assistance for multiple eligible housing costs such as property taxes or annual 

homeowner’s insurance premiums, whether in conjunction with delinquent payment assistance or 

separate and apart from a monthly homeownership payment structure, and/or is requesting assistance 

through other program design elements (with the exception of the utility assistance program design 

element), the per household award shall not exceed $20,000. Utility assistance has a separate household 

maximum and is excluded from the $20,000 household maximum benefit available for the pilot, 

homeownership loan reinstatement, homeownership loan payment, property charge (insurance) default 

resolution and property charge (taxes) default resolution program design elements.

Homeowner 

eligibility criteria 

and documentation 

requirements

Households are eligible to receive reinstatement assistance if they (1) attest that they experienced a 

financial hardship after January 21, 2020 associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, (2) provide income 

documentation and have incomes equal to or less than 150% of the area median income or 100% of the 

median income for the United States, whichever is greater, and (3) currently own and occupy a primary 

residence in New Mexico.

In order to receive assistance, the applicant(s) will provide a self-attestation that the household is able to 

resume the monthly housing payment following receiving assistance. 

Where loss mitigation is available, HAF funds may be used to supplement loss mitigation. Assistance will 

be available for households without access to loss mitigation or that have already exhausted loss 

mitigation. HAF funds may also be used prior to or during the loss mitigation process.

Indicate documentation requirements listed here: 

Documentation requirements include a legally issued form of identification, documents needed to verify 

household income, and documentation needed to verify the reinstatement amount such as a current 

homeownership loan statement or reinstatement quote, or other evidence of housing cost delinquency. 

To the extent the Common Data File (CDF) is implemented by a servicer, the Participant will utilize the 

process to verify reinstatement amounts through the servicer.

Loan eligibility 

criteria specific to 

the program

Delinquent by at least one payment, including any payments during a forbearance period, or, in the case 

of a reverse mortgage, has outstanding property charges whether in default or in a repayment plan. A 

payment will be considered delinquent one (1) day following the due date.

Eligible loans include a mortgage, deed of trust, or other consensual security interest on a principal 

residence and homeowners with consensual contractual agreements on a principal residence such as real 

estate contracts, lease-purchase contracts, mobile/manufactured home loans, chattel loans and/or land 

contracts. 

Eligible properties include single-family residential properties, condominiums and townhomes, 

manufactured homes permanently affixed to real property and taxed as real estate, and mobile homes not 

permanently affixed to real property.
20

Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC) loans are ineligible.

Form of assistance Assistance will be structured as a non-recourse grant. Assistance is not required to be repaid and the 

Participant will not collect or issue taxable income documentation such as W-9 or 1099 forms, except in 

cases where the funds are be paid directly to an individual lienholder without an LLC or LLC. This may 

include private lienholders of homeownership contracts, lease to own contracts, manufactured home 

land/lot contracts, etc. Private contract lienholders will be required to opt into the program and provide 

their social security number or taxpayer identification number.

Payment 

requirements 

MFA will disburse HAF assistance directly via check or electronic funds transfer to the homeownership 

loan lender/servicer, land contract holder, manufactured/mobile home lender, and/or other housing 

provider as appropriate.

Appendix 2: Homeownership Loan Payment Assistance 

Criteria Program Terms

Brief description The Homeownership Loan Payment Assistance program design element will provide payment assistance 

to homeowner households unable to make mortgage or homeownership loan payments due to financial 

hardship associated with the Coronavirus pandemic. 

HAF funds may be used to reduce a homeowner’s mortgage/homeownership loan payments for monthly 

housing payments due within a 12-month period following the initial date of approval of the application. 

The Participant will allocate funding on a first come, first served basis, and will not reserve the entire 

household maximum for each approved application. Ongoing monthly assistance will be available as 

described as long as funding is available. 

Where loss mitigation is available, HAF funds may be used to supplement loss mitigation. Assistance will 

be available for households without access to loss mitigation or that have already exhausted loss 

mitigation. HAF funds may also be used prior to or during the loss mitigation process. To the extent the 

Common Data File (CDF) is implemented by a servicer, the Participant will utilize the process to verify 

ongoing loss mitigation activity and to facilitate monthly payment assistance.

Maximum amount 

of assistance per 

household

Each household will be eligible for up to $20,000 of HAF funding, to be used only for the homeowner 

household’s primary residence. 

If a household is requesting assistance for multiple eligible housing costs such as property taxes or annual 

homeowner’s insurance premiums, whether in conjunction with delinquent payment assistance or 

separate and apart from a monthly homeownership payment structure, and/or is requesting assistance 

through other program design elements (with the exception of the utility assistance program design 

element), the per household award shall not exceed $20,000. Utility assistance has a separate household 

maximum and is excluded from the $20,000 household maximum benefit available for the pilot, 

homeownership loan reinstatement, homeownership loan payment, property charge (insurance) default 

resolution and property charge (taxes) default resolution program design elements.

Homeowner 

eligibility criteria 

and documentation 

requirements

Homeowner households are eligible to receive assistance under the mortgage payment assistance 

program design element if they (1) attest that they experienced a financial hardship after January 21, 2020 

associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, (2) provide income documentation and have incomes equal to 

or less than 150% of the area median income or 100% of the median income for the United States, 

whichever is greater, and (3) currently own and occupy a primary residence in New Mexico.

Where loss mitigation is available, HAF funds may be used to supplement loss mitigation. Assistance will 

be available for households without access to loss mitigation or that have already exhausted loss 

mitigation. HAF funds may also be used prior to or during the loss mitigation process.

In order for homeowner households to receive monthly housing payments due within a 12-month period 

following the initial date of approval of the application, the household must also meet the following criteria:

• The household will provide a self-attestation that the household is struggling to sustain their 

housing payments due to unemployment, underemployment or other continuing hardship. 

• The household’s contractual homeownership loan payment(s) exceed(s) 40% of the 

household’s net income. 

Indicate documentation requirements: 

Documentation requirements include a legally issued form of identification, documents needed to verify 

household income, and documentation needed to verify past due amounts, if applicable, and/or the 

contractual monthly payment such as a homeownership loan statement or other evidence of housing cost 

delinquency.

Loan eligibility 

criteria specific to 

the program

Delinquent by at least one payment, including any payments during a forbearance period. A payment will 

be considered delinquent one (1) day following the due date.

Eligible loans include those with a mortgage, deed of trust, or other consensual security interest on a 

principal residence and homeowners with consensual contractual agreements on a principal residence 

such as real estate contracts, lease-purchase contracts, mobile/manufactured home loans, chattel loans 

and/or land contracts. 
21

Eligible properties include single-family residential properties, condominiums and townhomes, 

manufactured homes permanently affixed to real property and taxed as real estate, and mobile homes not 

permanently affixed to real property.

Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC) loans are ineligible.

Form of assistance Assistance will be structured as a non-recourse grant. Assistance is not required to be repaid and the 

Participant will not collect or issue taxable income documentation such as W-9 or 1099 forms, except in 

case where the funds are be paid directly to an individual lienholder without an LLC or LLC. This may 

include private lienholders of homeownership contracts, lease to own contracts, manufactured home 

land/lot contracts, etc. Private contract lienholders will be required to opt into the program and provide 

their social security number or taxpayer identification number.

Payment 

requirements 

MFA will disburse HAF assistance directly via check or electronic funds transfer to the mortgage 

lender/servicer, land contract holder, manufactured/mobile home lender and/or other housing provider as 

appropriate.

Appendix 3: Property Charge Default Resolution - Insurance

Criteria Program Terms

Brief description The Property Charge Default Resolution (Insurance) program design element will provide up $20,000 per 

household to resolve any property charge default that threatens a homeowner’s ability to sustain 

ownership of the property. This program design element is intended to assist with property charges 

outside of a homeownership loan escrow or not covered under the Homeownership Loan Reinstatement 

or Homeownership Loan Payment Assistance program design elements (which will also pay property 

charges associated with homeownership loan escrows). 

HAF Funds may be used to pay past due property insurance premiums that threaten sustained ownership 

of the property and must be brought current by program assistance or resolved concurrently with the 

program design element providing assistance. 

Each household may receive funding for up to three years for insurance premiums including force placed 

insurance. Funds may also be used to pay property charges coming due in the 90 days following 

household application approval.

Maximum amount 

of assistance per 

household

Each household will be eligible for up to $20,000 of HAF funding with respect to the applicant’s primary 

residence. Each household may receive funding for up to three years of premiums, including force placed 

insurance. Funds may also be used to pay property charges coming due in the 90 days following 

household application approval.

If a household is requesting assistance for multiple eligible housing costs such as property taxes or annual 

homeowner’s insurance premiums, whether in conjunction with delinquent payment assistance or 

separate and apart from a monthly homeownership payment structure, and/or is requesting assistance 

through other program design elements (with the exception of the utility assistance program design 

element), the per household award shall not exceed $20,000. Utility assistance has a separate household 

maximum and is excluded from the $20,000 household maximum benefit available for the pilot, 

homeownership loan reinstatement, homeownership loan payment, property charge (insurance) default 

resolution and property charge (taxes) default resolution program design elements.

Homeowner 

eligibility criteria 

and documentation 

requirements

Homeowner households are eligible to receive property charge assistance under the NMHAF if they (1) 

attest that they experienced a financial hardship after January 21, 2020 associated with the COVID-19 

pandemic, (2) provide income documentation and have incomes equal to or less than 150% of the area 

median income or 100% of the median income for the United States, whichever is greater, and (3) 

currently own and occupy a primary residence in New Mexico.

In order to receive assistance, the applicant(s) will provide a self-attestation that the household is able to 

resume the monthly housing payment (where applicable) following receiving assistance.

Homeowner household is at least one installment payment in arrears on one or more property charges 

including: 

• Insurance: homeowner, hazard, flood, wind premiums 

Indicate documentation requirements: 

Documentation requirements include a legally issued form of identification, documents needed to verify 

household income, and documentation needed to verify property charge delinquency such as an invoice 

or other evidence of property charges delinquency. 

Loan eligibility 

criteria specific to 

the program

N/A

Form of assistance Assistance will be structured as a non-recourse grant. Assistance is not required to be repaid and the 

Participant will not collect or issue taxable income documentation such as W-9 or 1099 forms.

Payment 

requirements 

MFA will disburse HAF assistance via check or electronic funds transfer directly to the eligible entity to 

which the housing cost is due.
22

Appendix 4: Property Charge Default Resolution- Taxes

Criteria Program Terms

Brief description The Property Charge Default Resolution (Taxes) program design element will provide up $20,000 per 

household to resolve any property charge default that threatens a homeowner’s ability to sustain 

ownership of the property. This program design element is intended to assist with property charges 

outside of a homeownership loan escrow or not covered under the Homeownership Loan Reinstatement 

or Homeownership Loan Payment Assistance program design elements (which will also pay property 

charges associated with homeownership loan escrows). 

HAF Funds may be used to pay past due property taxes that threaten sustained ownership of the property 

and must be brought current by program assistance or resolved concurrently with the program design 

element providing assistance. 

Each household may receive funding for up to three years of delinquent taxes. Funds may also be used to 

pay property charges coming due in the 90 days following household application approval.

Maximum amount 

of assistance per 

household

Each household will be eligible for up to $20,000 of HAF funding with respect to the applicant’s primary 

residence. Each household may receive funding for up to three years of delinquent taxes. Funds may also 

be used to pay property charges coming due in the 90 days following household application approval.

If a household is requesting assistance for multiple eligible housing costs such as property taxes or annual 

homeowner’s insurance premiums, whether in conjunction with delinquent payment assistance or 

separate and apart from a monthly homeownership payment structure, and/or is requesting assistance 

through other program design elements (with the exception of the utility assistance program design 

element), the per household award shall not exceed $20,000. Utility assistance has a separate household 

maximum and is excluded from the $20,000 household maximum benefit available for the pilot, 

homeownership loan reinstatement, homeownership loan payment, property charge (insurance) default 

resolution and property charge (taxes) default resolution program design elements.

Homeowner 

eligibility criteria 

and documentation 

requirements

Homeowner households are eligible to receive property charge assistance under the NMHAF if they (1) 

attest that they experienced a financial hardship after January 21, 2020 associated with the COVID-19 

pandemic, (2) provide income documentation and have incomes equal to or less than 150% of the area 

median income or 100% of the median income for the United States, whichever is greater, and (3) 

currently own and occupy a primary residence in New Mexico.

In order to receive assistance, the applicant(s) will provide a self-attestation that the household is able to 

resume the monthly housing payment (where applicable) following receiving assistance.

Homeowner household is at least one installment payment in arrears on one or more property charges 

including: 

• Property taxes 

Indicate documentation requirements: 

Documentation requirements include a legally issued form of identification, documents needed to verify 

household income, and documentation needed to verify property charge delinquency such as a tax 

statement, invoice, or other evidence of property charges delinquency.

Loan eligibility 

criteria specific to 

the program

N/A

Form of assistance Assistance will be structured as a non-recourse grant. Assistance is not required to be repaid and the 

Participant will not collect or issue taxable income documentation such as W-9 or 1099 forms.

Payment 

requirements 

MFA will disburse HAF assistance via check or electronic funds transfer directly to the eligible entity to 

which the housing cost is due.

Appendix 5: Utility Payment Assistance

Criteria Program Terms

Brief description The Utility Assistance Program will provide funds to resolve delinquent payments for utility services. 

HAF funds may be used to pay delinquent amounts in full, including interest or reasonably required legal 

fees, under circumstances in which a delinquency threatens access to utility services. The provided 

assistance will strive to bring the homeowner’s account current. 

Funds may be used to pay prospective charges for up to the first 90 days following approval if the 

homeowner is unable to make such payments and (i) funds are not available from other federally funded 

utility assistance programs to cover these amounts and (ii) the homeowner indicates the financial ability to 

resume making such payments after the initial 90-day period. 

Maximum amount 

of assistance per 

household

Each household will be eligible for up to $1,000 through this program.
23

Homeowner 

eligibility criteria 

and documentation 

requirements

Homeowner households are eligible to receive property charge assistance under the NMHAF if they (1) 

attest that they experienced a financial hardship after January 21, 2020 associated with the COVID-19 

pandemic, (2) provide income documentation and have incomes equal to or less than 150% of the area 

median income or 100% of the median income for the United States, whichever is greater, and (3) 

currently own and occupy a primary residence in New Mexico.

Additional requirements: 

• Homeowner is at least one installment payment in arrears on one or more of the following: 

utilities, such as electric, gas, home energy, and water. 

• An attestation by the homeowner(s) that assistance sufficient to resolve the delinquency is not 

available from other utility assistance programs and, without HAF assistance, the homeowner is likely to 

lose services 

Participating homeowners will be required to provide the following documentation in order to establish 

both need and program eligibility. Documentation requirements include, a legally issued form of 

identification, documents needed to verify household income and documents needed to verify 

homeownership, (e.g., a current homeownership loan statement, deed, title), and documentation of utility 

cost delinquency.

Loan eligibility 

criteria specific to 

the program

Not applicable 

Form of assistance Assistance will be structured as a non-recourse grant. Assistance is not required to be repaid and the 

Participant will not collect or issue taxable income documentation such as W-9 or 1099 forms. 

Payment 

requirements 

Funds will be paid directly to the utility provider or other applicable third-party authorized to collect eligible 

charges.

Appendix 6: New Mexico Homeowner Assistance Fund Pilot Program

Criteria Program Terms

Brief description The New Mexico Homeowner Assistance Fund pilot program provides emergency housing grants to 

income-eligible households experiencing financial hardship associated with the COVID-19 health crisis.

These grants are to fund homeownership loan payments and other homeownership costs (e.g. – property 

taxes, HOA/COA fees, insurance) equal to the amount of the monthly cost made on behalf of incomeeligible applicants up to $10,000 per household, to maintain housing and/or to reduce housing cost 

delinquency associated with the COVID-19 health crisis. Some mobile/manufactured home lot rental 

payments may also be covered if the homeowner also has a mobile/manufactured loan homeownership 

payment.

Maximum amount 

of assistance per 

household

During the pilot phase of the program, each household will be eligible for up to $10,000 of HAF funding to 

be used only for the homeowner’s primary residence. Homeowners who receive assistance during the 

pilot phase will be eligible to apply for additional assistance from the permanent program design elements 

including reinstatement, payment assistance, and property charge default resolution.

If a household is requesting additional assistance after receiving assistance during the pilot for multiple 

eligible housing costs such as property taxes or annual homeowner’s insurance premiums, whether in 

conjunction with delinquent payment assistance or separate and apart from a monthly homeownership 

payment structure, and/or is requesting assistance through other program design elements (with the 

exception of the utility assistance program design element), the per household award shall not exceed 

$20,000. Utility assistance has a separate household maximum and is excluded from the $20,000 

household maximum benefit available for the pilot, homeownership loan reinstatement, homeownership 

loan payment, property charge (insurance) default resolution and property charge (taxes) default 

resolution program design elements.

Homeowner 

eligibility criteria 

and documentation 

requirements

Households are eligible to receive reinstatement assistance if they (1) certify that they experienced a 

financial hardship after January 21, 2020 associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, (2) provide income 

documentation and have incomes equal to or less than 100% of the area median income, and (3) 

currently own and occupy a primary residence in New Mexico.

Indicate documentation requirements listed here: 

Documentation requirements include a legally issued form of identification, documents needed to verify 

household income, and documentation needed to verify the delinquent amounts such as a current 

homeownership loan statement or reinstatement quote, or other evidence of housing cost delinquency. 
24

Loan eligibility 

criteria specific to 

the program

Delinquent by at least one payment, including any payments during a forbearance period. A payment will 

be considered delinquent one (1) day following the due date.

Eligible loans include a mortgage, deed of trust, or other consensual security interest on a principal 

residence and homeowners with consensual contractual agreements on a principal residence such as real 

estate contracts, lease-purchase contracts, mobile/manufactured home loans, chattel loans and/or land 

contracts. 

Eligible properties include single-family residential properties, condominiums and townhomes, 

manufactured homes permanently affixed to real property and taxed as real estate, and mobile homes not 

permanently affixed to real property.

Form of assistance Assistance will be structured as a non-recourse grant. Assistance is not required to be repaid and the 

Participant will not collect or issue taxable income documentation such as W-9 or 1099 forms, except in 

cases where the funds are be paid directly to an individual lienholder without an LLC or LLC. This may 

include private lienholders of homeownership contracts, lease to own contracts, manufactured home 

land/lot contracts, etc. Private contract lienholders will be required to opt into the program and provide 

their social security number or taxpayer identification number.

Payment 

requirements 

MFA will disburse HAF assistance directly via check or electronic funds transfer to the homeownership 

loan lender/servicer, land contract holder, manufactured/mobile home lender, and/or other housing 

provider as appropriate.

Tables

Table 1: Homeowner Households at or below 150% AMI

MFA Calculation from American Community Survey 2015-2019 5-Year Estimates 

County Homeowner 

Households Earning 

Below 150% AMI

All Homeowner 

Households

% State Homeowner 

Households Earning 

Below 150% AMI

% of County 

Homeowner 

Households Earning 

Below 150% AMI

Bernalillo 119,574 168,608 31.9% 70.9%

Catron 1,028 1,162 0.3% 88.4%

Chaves 11,460 16,040 3.1% 71.4%

Cibola 4,354 5,981 1.2% 72.8%

Colfax 3,183 4,157 0.9% 76.6%

Curry 7,443 10,576 2.0% 70.4%

De Baca 348 421 0.1% 82.7%

Doña Ana 31,618 49,113 8.4% 64.4%

Eddy 10,802 14,768 2.9% 73.1%

Grant 5,971 8,067 1.6% 74.0%

Guadalupe 639 867 0.2% 73.7%

Harding 101 138 0.0% 73.3%

Hidalgo 902 1,186 0.2% 76.0%

Lea 10,026 15,045 2.7% 66.6%

Lincoln 4,464 6,096 1.2% 73.2%

Los Alamos 3,142 5,878 0.8% 53.5%

Luna 3,851 5,422 1.0% 71.0%

McKinley 9,951 14,852 2.7% 67.0%

Mora 1,009 1,465 0.3% 68.9%

Otero 11,042 15,172 2.9% 72.8%

Quay 1,227 1,869 0.3% 65.7%

Rio Arriba 6,853 9,784 1.8% 70.0%
25

Roosevelt 2,771 3,984 0.7% 69.5%

San Juan 20,087 30,813 5.4% 65.2%

San Miguel 5,818 8,166 1.6% 71.2%

Sandoval 28,026 40,082 7.5% 69.9%

Santa Fe 31,786 43,900 8.5% 72.4%

Sierra 3,126 4,106 0.8% 76.1%

Socorro 2,084 3,316 0.6% 62.8%

Taos 6,641 9,249 1.8% 71.8%

Torrance 4,040 4,697 1.1% 86.0%

Union 643 906 0.2% 71.0%

Valencia 17,637 22,010 4.7% 80.1%

New Mexico 371,648 527,896 100.0% 70.4%

Table 2: Homeowner Households at or below 100% AMI 

Comprehensive Housing Affordability Strategy 2013-2017 5-Year Estimates 

County Homeowner 

Households Earning 

Below 100% AMI

All Homeowner 

Households

% State Homeowner 

Households Earning 

Below 100% AMI

% of County 

Homeowner 

Households Earning 

Below 100% AMI

Bernalillo 61,855 165,610 27.9% 37.3%

Catron 595 1,330 0.3% 44.7%

Chaves 7,100 15,870 3.2% 44.7%

Cibola 3,230 6,450 1.5% 50.1%

Colfax 1,760 3,770 0.8% 46.7%

Curry 4,435 10,665 2.0% 41.6%

De Baca 220 445 0.1% 49.4%

Doña Ana 20,005 48,140 9.0% 41.6%

Eddy 6,325 15,010 2.9% 42.1%

Grant 3,650 8,585 1.6% 42.5%

Guadalupe 500 835 0.2% 59.9%

Harding 70 150 0.0% 46.7%

Hidalgo 695 1,280 0.3% 54.3%

Lea 6,055 15,000 2.7% 40.4%

Lincoln 2,560 6,190 1.2% 41.4%

Los Alamos 1,215 5,545 0.5% 21.9%

Luna 3,420 5,610 1.5% 61.0%

McKinley 8,650 14,130 3.9% 61.2%

Mora 725 1,155 0.3% 62.8%

Otero 6,585 15,170 3.0% 43.4%

Quay 1,210 2,115 0.5% 57.2%

Rio Arriba 5,020 9,850 2.3% 51.0%

Roosevelt 2,020 4,360 0.9% 46.3%
26

San Juan 13,140 30,645 5.9% 42.9%

San Miguel 4,345 7,770 2.0% 55.9%

Sandoval 15,870 39,815 7.2% 39.9%

Santa Fe 16,905 43,345 7.6% 39.0%

Sierra 2,325 4,020 1.0% 57.8%

Socorro 1,740 3,575 0.8% 48.7%

Taos 4,775 9,365 2.2% 51.0%

Torrance 2,755 4,485 1.2% 61.4%

Union 480 935 0.2% 51.3%

Valencia 11,690 21,720 5.3% 53.8%

New Mexico 221,925 522,940 100.0% 42.4%

Table 3: Race and Ethnicity of Homeowner Households 

American Community Survey 2015-2019 5-Year Estimates

County Socially 

Disadvantaged 

Owner 

Occupied 

Hispanic 

Owner 

Occupied

Native 

American 

and 

Alaska 

Native 

Owner

Occupied 

Black or 

African 

American

Asian 

Owner 

Occupied

Native 

Hawaiian 

and 

Pacific 

Islander 

Owner 

Occupied

Other 

Race 

Owner 

Occupied 

or Two or 

More 

Races

White 

Owner 

Occupied

Bernalillo 99,398 70,205 4,084 2,907 3,363 97 18,742 86,955

Catron 154 144 0 0 0 0 10 1,018

Chaves 9,148 7,700 228 68 62 0 1,090 8,057

Cibola 4,741 2,255 2,047 0 5 0 434 1,707

Colfax 2,326 1,876 54 0 0 0 396 2,221

Curry 5,987 3,689 70 183 54 0 1,991 6,537

De Baca 294 178 0 0 4 0 112 243

Doña Ana 34,976 29,557 512 662 254 0 3,991 17,853

Eddy 6,600 5,501 139 207 11 0 742 8,868

Grant 3,634 3,206 152 87 0 0 189 4,609

Guadalupe 804 706 32 0 0 0 66 138

Harding 65 47 0 0 0 0 18 91

Hidalgo 622 523 30 15 0 0 54 606

Lea 8,281 6,899 194 335 65 0 788 7,574

Lincoln 1,432 1,284 46 0 13 0 89 4,715

Los 

Alamos

1,259 734 35 37 177 0 276 4,761

Luna 3,215 2,892 41 63 21 0 198 2,367

McKinley 13,685 2,069 10,608 106 50 6 846 2,079

Mora 1,656 1,177 2 0 0 0 477 256

Otero 6,573 4,680 704 378 83 0 728 9,185

Quay 811 639 2 17 33 0 120 1,170

Rio Arriba 11,464 7,179 1,069 7 22 2 3,185 1,533
27

Roosevelt 1,876 1,249 45 10 0 0 572 2,633

San Juan 20,322 12,741 2,873 561 545 75 3,527 22,775

San Miguel 15,577 4,791 8,992 138 190 26 1,440 16,608

Sandoval 9,670 6,410 84 67 42 10 3,057 1,546

Santa Fe 22,523 17,390 1,069 316 416 0 3,332 24,636

Sierra 1,094 842 78 0 6 0 168 3,201

Socorro 2,090 1,572 250 0 92 0 176 1,384

Taos 6,000 4,814 451 6 18 0 711 3,953

Torrance 2,043 1,681 4 7 0 0 351 2,953

Union 325 270 7 0 0 0 48 620

Valencia 15,059 11,818 805 221 107 0 2,108 8,854

New 

Mexico

313,704 216,718 34,707 6,398 5,633 216 50,032 261,706

County % NM Socially 

Disadvantaged 

Owner 

Occupied 

% NM 

Hispanic 

Owner 

Occupied

% NM 

Native 

American 

and 

Alaska 

Native 

Owner

Occupied 

% NM 

Black or 

African 

American

% NM 

Asian 

Owner 

Occupied

% NM 

Native 

Hawaiian 

and 

Pacific 

Islander 

Owner 

Occupied

% NM 

Other 

Race 

Owner 

Occupied 

or Two or 

More 

Races

% NM 

White 

Owner 

Occupied

Bernalillo 31.7% 32.4% 11.8% 45.4% 59.7% 44.9% 37.5% 33.2%

Catron 0.0% 0.1% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.4%

Chaves 2.9% 3.6% 0.7% 1.1% 1.1% 0.0% 2.2% 3.1%

Cibola 1.5% 1.0% 5.9% 0.0% 0.1% 0.0% 0.9% 0.7%

Colfax 0.7% 0.9% 0.2% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.8% 0.8%

Curry 1.9% 1.7% 0.2% 2.9% 1.0% 0.0% 4.0% 2.5%

De Baca 0.1% 0.1% 0.0% 0.0% 0.1% 0.0% 0.2% 0.1%

Doña Ana 11.1% 13.6% 1.5% 10.3% 4.5% 0.0% 8.0% 6.8%

Eddy 2.1% 2.5% 0.4% 3.2% 0.2% 0.0% 1.5% 3.4%

Grant 1.2% 1.5% 0.4% 1.4% 0.0% 0.0% 0.4% 1.8%

Guadalupe 0.3% 0.3% 0.1% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.1% 0.1%

Harding 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0%

Hidalgo 0.2% 0.2% 0.1% 0.2% 0.0% 0.0% 0.1% 0.2%

Lea 2.6% 3.2% 0.6% 5.2% 1.2% 0.0% 1.6% 2.9%

Lincoln 0.5% 0.6% 0.1% 0.0% 0.2% 0.0% 0.2% 1.8%

Los 

Alamos

0.4% 0.3% 0.1% 0.6% 3.1% 0.0% 0.6% 1.8%

Luna 1.0% 1.3% 0.1% 1.0% 0.4% 0.0% 0.4% 0.9%

McKinley 4.4% 1.0% 30.6% 1.7% 0.9% 2.8% 1.7% 0.8%

Mora 0.5% 0.5% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 1.0% 0.1%

Otero 2.1% 2.2% 2.0% 5.9% 1.5% 0.0% 1.5% 3.5%

Quay 0.3% 0.3% 0.0% 0.3% 0.6% 0.0% 0.2% 0.4%

Rio Arriba 3.7% 3.3% 3.1% 0.1% 0.4% 0.9% 6.4% 0.6%

Roosevelt 0.6% 0.6% 0.1% 0.2% 0.0% 0.0% 1.1% 1.0%
28

San Juan 6.5% 5.9% 8.3% 8.8% 9.7% 34.7% 7.0% 8.7%

San Miguel 5.0% 2.2% 25.9% 2.2% 3.4% 12.0% 2.9% 6.3%

Sandoval 3.1% 3.0% 0.2% 1.0% 0.7% 4.6% 6.1% 0.6%

Santa Fe 7.2% 8.0% 3.1% 4.9% 7.4% 0.0% 6.7% 9.4%

Sierra 0.3% 0.4% 0.2% 0.0% 0.1% 0.0% 0.3% 1.2%

Socorro 0.7% 0.7% 0.7% 0.0% 1.6% 0.0% 0.4% 0.5%

Taos 1.9% 2.2% 1.3% 0.1% 0.3% 0.0% 1.4% 1.5%

Torrance 0.7% 0.8% 0.0% 0.1% 0.0% 0.0% 0.7% 1.1%

Union 0.1% 0.1% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.1% 0.2%

Valencia 4.8% 5.5% 2.3% 3.5% 1.9% 0.0% 4.2% 3.4%

New 

Mexico

100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%

County % County 

Socially 

Disadvantaged 

Owner 

Occupied 

% County 

Hispanic 

Owner 

Occupied

% County 

Native 

American 

and 

Alaska 

Native 

Owner

Occupied 

% County 

Black or 

African 

American

% County

Asian 

Owner 

Occupied

% County

Native 

Hawaiian 

and 

Pacific 

Islander 

Owner 

Occupied

% County

Other 

Race 

Owner 

Occupied 

or Two or 

More 

Races

% County 

White 

Owner 

Occupied

Bernalillo 53.3% 37.7% 2.2% 1.6% 1.8% 0.1% 10.1% 46.7%

Catron 13.1% 12.3% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.9% 86.9%

Chaves 53.2% 44.8% 1.3% 0.4% 0.4% 0.0% 6.3% 46.8%

Cibola 73.5% 35.0% 31.7% 0.0% 0.1% 0.0% 6.7% 26.5%

Colfax 51.2% 41.3% 1.2% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 8.7% 48.8%

Curry 47.8% 29.5% 0.6% 1.5% 0.4% 0.0% 15.9% 52.2%

De Baca 54.7% 33.1% 0.0% 0.0% 0.7% 0.0% 20.9% 45.3%

Doña Ana 66.2% 55.9% 1.0% 1.3% 0.5% 0.0% 7.6% 33.8%

Eddy 42.7% 35.6% 0.9% 1.3% 0.1% 0.0% 4.8% 57.3%

Grant 44.1% 38.9% 1.8% 1.1% 0.0% 0.0% 2.3% 55.9%

Guadalupe 85.4% 74.9% 3.4% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 7.0% 14.6%

Harding 41.7% 30.1% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 11.5% 58.3%

Hidalgo 50.7% 42.6% 2.4% 1.2% 0.0% 0.0% 4.4% 49.3%

Lea 52.2% 43.5% 1.2% 2.1% 0.4% 0.0% 5.0% 47.8%

Lincoln 23.3% 20.9% 0.7% 0.0% 0.2% 0.0% 1.4% 76.7%

Los 

Alamos

20.9% 12.2% 0.6% 0.6% 2.9% 0.0% 4.6% 79.1%

Luna 57.6% 51.8% 0.7% 1.1% 0.4% 0.0% 3.5% 42.4%

McKinley 86.8% 13.1% 67.3% 0.7% 0.3% 0.0% 5.4% 13.2%

Mora 86.6% 61.6% 0.1% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 24.9% 13.4%

Otero 41.7% 29.7% 4.5% 2.4% 0.5% 0.0% 4.6% 58.3%

Quay 40.9% 32.3% 0.1% 0.9% 1.7% 0.0% 6.1% 59.1%

Rio Arriba 88.2% 55.2% 8.2% 0.1% 0.2% 0.0% 24.5% 11.8%

Roosevelt 41.6% 27.7% 1.0% 0.2% 0.0% 0.0% 12.7% 58.4%

San Juan 47.2% 29.6% 6.7% 1.3% 1.3% 0.2% 8.2% 52.8%
29

San Miguel 48.4% 14.9% 27.9% 0.4% 0.6% 0.1% 4.5% 51.6%

Sandoval 86.2% 57.2% 0.7% 0.6% 0.4% 0.1% 27.3% 13.8%

Santa Fe 47.8% 36.9% 2.3% 0.7% 0.9% 0.0% 7.1% 52.2%

Sierra 25.5% 19.6% 1.8% 0.0% 0.1% 0.0% 3.9% 74.5%

Socorro 60.2% 45.3% 7.2% 0.0% 2.6% 0.0% 5.1% 39.8%

Taos 60.3% 48.4% 4.5% 0.1% 0.2% 0.0% 7.1% 39.7%

Torrance 40.9% 33.6% 0.1% 0.1% 0.0% 0.0% 7.0% 59.1%

Union 34.4% 28.6% 0.7% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 5.1% 65.6%

Valencia 63.0% 49.4% 3.4% 0.9% 0.4% 0.0% 8.8% 37.0%

New 

Mexico

54.5% 37.7% 6.0% 1.1% 1.0% 0.0% 8.7% 45.5%

Table 4: Housing Cost Burden for Homeowner Households with a Mortgage and Annual 

Household Income Less than $75,000

American Community Survey 2015-2019 5-Year Estimates

County Cost Burden for 

Homeowner 

Households with a 

Mortgage and Annual 

Household Income 

Less than $75,000

Total Homeowner 

Households with a 

Mortgage and Annual 

Household Income 

Less than $75,000

% of NM Homeowner 

Households with a 

Mortgage and Annual 

Household Income 

Less than $75,000

% of County 

Homeowner 

Households with a 

Mortgage and Annual 

Household Income 

Less than $75,000

Bernalillo 36,214 88,050 34.9% 41.1%

Catron 136 1,019 0.1% 13.3%

Chaves 3,006 10,743 2.9% 28.0%

Cibola 771 4,177 0.7% 18.5%

Colfax 1,005 3,113 1.0% 32.3%

Curry 2,349 7,040 2.3% 33.4%

De Baca 68 326 0.1% 20.9%

Doña Ana 9,978 31,115 9.6% 32.1%

Eddy 1,814 7,468 1.7% 24.3%

Grant 1,494 5,594 1.4% 26.7%

Guadalupe 108 674 0.1% 16.0%

Harding 22 98 0.0% 22.4%

Hidalgo 255 857 0.2% 29.8%

Lea 1,706 8,503 1.6% 20.1%

Lincoln 1,339 4,009 1.3% 33.4%

Los Alamos 332 1,112 0.3% 29.9%

Luna 1,085 4,050 1.0% 26.8%

McKinley 1,989 10,620 1.9% 18.7%

Mora 348 1,224 0.3% 28.4%

Otero 2,654 10,334 2.6% 25.7%

Quay 269 1,384 0.3% 19.4%

Rio Arriba 1,400 6,237 1.3% 22.4%
30

Roosevelt 790 2,592 0.8% 30.5%

San Juan 5,081 18,288 4.9% 27.8%

San Miguel 2,060 6,194 2.0% 33.3%

Sandoval 8,127 20,486 7.8% 39.7%

Santa Fe 9,819 22,316 9.5% 44.0%

Sierra 960 3,342 0.9% 28.7%

Socorro 413 2,205 0.4% 18.7%

Taos 1,537 6,463 1.5% 23.8%

Torrance 1,338 3,577 1.3% 37.4%

Union 134 648 0.1% 20.7%

Valencia 5,241 14,567 5.0% 36.0%

New Mexico 103,842 308,425 100.0% 33.7%

Table 5: Financial Hardship in New Mexico

Housing Pulse Survey: Average Response During Week 1-Week 28 of the HPS

Experienced Loss of 

Employment Income

Last Months' Housing 

Payment was not made or 

deferred

No or Slight Confidence in 

Ability to Make Next month’s 

housing payment or payment 

will be deferred

Less than $25,000 54.8% 26.7% 39.1%

$25,000 - $34,999 48.8% 24.1% 29.0%

$35,000 - $49,999 45.4% 14.5% 23.5%

$50,000 - $74,999 42.3% 14.9% 19.1%

$75,000 - $99,999 38.0% 8.6% 12.9%

$100,000 - $149,999 33.9% 5.9% 8.5%

$150,000 - $199,999 30.9% 2.1% 6.7%

$200,000 and above 27.2% 5.3% 7.1%

Hispanic or Latino 49.5% 16.4% 25.8%

White 37.3% 10.1% 12.5%

Black 45.9% 11.8% 13.0%

Asian 41.5% 11.9% 16.4%

Two or more races & Other 

races

51.6% 15.1% 22.4%

Table 6: Forborne and Delinquent Single-Family Loans in New Mexico 

Department of Treasure Supplied Data Federal Reserve Bank Mortgage Dashboard and 

Federal Agency Data

Forbearance Rate Delinquency Rate

Rural 4.2% 2.1%

Urban 3.5% 1.4%

Low-Income 3.9% 1.8%

Non-Low- Income 3.6% 1.5%

High Minority 4.0% 1.8%
31

Low Minority 3.4% 1.4%

Federal Housing Administration 8.7%

United States Department of Agriculture 7.1%

Veteran’s Affairs loans 4.2%

Table 7: Non-Forborne 90+ Day Delinquent Single-Family Loans

CoreLogic Market Trends January 2021

County 90+ Day Delinquent Loan County % NM 90+ Day 

Delinquent

% County 90+ Day 

Delinquent

Bernalillo 3,176 88,443 38.2% 3.6%

Catron 1 144 0.0% 0.7%

Chaves 272 4,546 3.3% 6.0%

Cibola 54 785 0.6% 6.9%

Colfax 37 1,415 0.4% 2.6%

Curry 204 4,486 2.5% 4.5%

De Baca - 57 0.0% 0.0%

Doña Ana 706 19,282 8.5% 3.7%

Eddy 244 4,779 2.9% 5.1%

Grant 96 2,326 1.2% 4.1%

Guadalupe 8 126 0.1% 6.3%

Harding - 7 0.0% 0.0%

Hidalgo 4 109 0.0% 3.7%

Lea 303 4,005 3.6% 7.6%

Lincoln 104 3,244 1.3% 3.2%

Los Alamos 27 3,363 0.3% 0.8%

Luna 53 1,145 0.6% 4.6%

McKinley 52 1,315 0.6% 4.0%

Mora 5 206 0.1% 2.4%

Otero 179 5,065 2.2% 3.5%

Quay 15 285 0.2% 5.3%

Rio Arriba 111 2,400 1.3% 4.6%

Roosevelt 63 1,180 0.8% 5.3%

Sandoval 842 22,271 10.1% 3.8%

San Juan 412 7,750 5.0% 5.3%

San Miguel 74 1,325 0.9% 5.6%

Santa Fe 668 22,188 8.0% 3.0%

Sierra 26 664 0.3% 3.9%

Socorro 30 822 0.4% 3.6%

Taos 160 3,521 1.9% 4.5%

Torrance 41 704 0.5% 5.8%

Union 10 167 0.1% 6.0%
32

Valencia 333 6,841 4.0% 4.9%

New Mexico 8,310 214,966 100.0% 3.9%

Table 8: Likelihood of Leaving Home Due to Foreclosure in New Mexico

Housing Pulse Survey: Average Response During Week 1-Week 28 of the HPS

Very or somewhat likely to have to leave home in the next two 

months due to foreclosure (4/23/2021)

 Less than $25,000 84.3%

 $25,000 - $34,999 21.2%

 $35,000 - $49,999 5.4%

 $50,000 - $74,999 0.0%

 $75,000 - $99,999 0.0%

 $100,000 - $149,999 0.0%

 $150,000 - $199,999 0.0%

 $200,000 and above 0.0%

Hispanic or Latino 8.3%

White 8.0%

Black 0.0%

Asian 0.0%

Two or more races & Other races 46.3%

New Mexico Total 19.8%

Table 9: PRC Survey Responses

New Mexico Public Regulation Commission Survey April 2021

Utility/Cooperative Accounts/Customers in Arrears Total Residential Delinquency (Accounts 

in Arrears and Accounts Subject to 

Disconnect)

Central New Mexico 1,340 $510,760

Central Valley 415 $137,483

Columbus 320 $84,582

Continental Divide 3,258 $1,669,928

El Paso Electric Company $2,261,989

EPCOR 1,840 $781,814

EPCOR Water $781,814

Farmers' 1,657 $252,840

Jemez Mountains EC 3,074 $1,352,933

Jemez Mountain Electric Coop $1,411,169

Kit Carson EC 785 $312,236

Kit Carson Electric Coop $481,574

Lea County 662 $284,007

Mora-San Miguel 719 $237,100
33

NM Gas Company

NM Rural Electric Cooperatives 

(combined)

NM Water Service Co. 1,205 $198,697

NORA 307 $38,812

Otero County 533 $284,942

Public Service Company of NM $19,471,176

Raton Natural Gas 181 $19,435

Raton Natural Gas $1,613

Roosevelt County 30 $13,238

Sandia Peak Utility Co. 177 $43,924

Sierra 492 $138,273

Socorro 1,467 $483,803

Southwest Public Service Company

Springer 443 $54,108

SWEC 115 $49,999

Zia Natural Gas 2,231 $1,186,132

Table 10: Housing Condition Issues

American Community Survey 2015-2019 5-Year Estimates

County Lacking 

Complete 

Kitchens

Lacking 

Complete 

Plumbing

Total 

Occupied 

Housing 

Units

% of State 

Lacking 

Complete 

Kitchens

% of County 

Lacking 

Complete 

Kitchens

% of State 

Lacking 

Complete 

Plumbing

% of County 

Lacking 

Complete 

Plumbing

Bernalillo 4,511 2,993 293,787 11.3% 1.5% 7.4% 1.0%

Catron 280 669 3,756 0.7% 7.5% 1.7% 17.8%

Chaves 1,643 1,559 27,279 4.1% 6.0% 3.9% 5.7%

Cibola 1,435 1,846 11,397 3.6% 12.6% 4.6% 16.2%

Colfax 389 502 10,284 1.0% 3.8% 1.2% 4.9%

Curry 388 380 21,267 1.0% 1.8% 0.9% 1.8%

De Baca 62 67 1,092 0.2% 5.7% 0.2% 6.1%

Doña Ana 2,397 2,865 87,897 6.0% 2.7% 7.1% 3.3%

Eddy 1,553 735 24,576 3.9% 6.3% 1.8% 3.0%

Grant 1,263 817 15,071 3.2% 8.4% 2.0% 5.4%

Guadalupe 425 305 2,670 1.1% 15.9% 0.8% 11.4%

Harding 135 100 567 0.3% 23.8% 0.2% 17.6%

Hidalgo 465 178 2,454 1.2% 18.9% 0.4% 7.3%

Lea 1,426 958 26,610 3.6% 5.4% 2.4% 3.6%

Lincoln 676 512 18,156 1.7% 3.7% 1.3% 2.8%

Los Alamos 46 0 8,384 0.1% 0.5% 0.0% 0.0%

Luna 946 359 11,287 2.4% 8.4% 0.9% 3.2%

McKinley 3,788 5,055 26,312 9.5% 14.4% 12.5% 19.2%
34

Mora 522 565 2,981 1.3% 17.5% 1.4% 19.0%

Otero 1,340 1,761 31,745 3.3% 4.2% 4.4% 5.5%

Quay 800 446 5,690 2.0% 14.1% 1.1% 7.8%

Rio Arriba 1,896 2,127 20,184 4.7% 9.4% 5.3% 10.5%

Roosevelt 262 238 8,518 0.7% 3.1% 0.6% 2.8%

San Juan 4,036 4,520 51,113 10.1% 7.9% 11.2% 8.8%

San Miguel 1,439 1,237 15,984 3.6% 9.0% 3.1% 7.7%

Sandoval 1,751 1,576 56,585 4.4% 3.1% 3.9% 2.8%

Santa Fe 1,377 1,206 72,988 3.4% 1.9% 3.0% 1.7%

Sierra 413 431 8,555 1.0% 4.8% 1.1% 5.0%

Socorro 954 1,849 8,234 2.4% 11.6% 4.6% 22.5%

Taos 1,432 1,568 20,916 3.6% 6.8% 3.9% 7.5%

Torrance 780 912 8,026 1.9% 9.7% 2.3% 11.4%

Union 382 371 2,347 1.0% 16.3% 0.9% 15.8%

Valencia 809 1,603 31,208 2.0% 2.6% 4.0% 5.1%

New Mexico 40,021 40,310 937,920 100.0% 4.3% 100.0% 4.3%