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“Once we don’t have reasonably priced housing, that results in households experiencing homelessness, and so we all know that there must be an entire spectrum of response,” stated Amy Whitfield in her first interview with KOB since being appointed the Housing and Homelessness advisor for the Workplace of the Governor.
“We have to enhance reasonably priced housing all through the state, we have to enhance growth of latest housing and housing choices, after which we additionally want to focus on homelessness prevention and response to homelessness,” she stated.
Whitfield — who has been serving within the governor’s administration since 2019, providing assist to CYFD and the Workplace of African American Affairs — stated housing and homeless-related points should not unique to Albuquerque.
“We’re seeing lack of reasonably priced housing, we’re seeing a rise in homelessness all through the entire total state of New Mexico, we’re seeing it nationally, we all know that the rise of the truthful market price for housing is admittedly impacting all New Mexicans,” she stated.
Whitfield additionally stated it’s essential to acknowledge that homelessness goes past what folks see on the streets.
“Generally it seems like, ‘I can’t afford my lease now,’” she stated. “’So I must go ask for packages and companies.’ Generally it means I’m paying 40% or 50% of my revenue to housing and might’t afford different issues. Generally it implies that I’m residing in a multi-generational home, not by alternative, however out of want.”
That’s why considered one of Whitfield’s first plans of motion is to assist the Division of Finance Administration give out $20 million in federal grants to New Mexicans who want it most.
“I’ve already been in a position to go and meet with a number of of the candidates and listen to from our native governments and nonprofits what they should do to extend their service,” she stated.
The Workplace of the Governor stated grant awardees might be introduced within the subsequent weeks.
“Our precedence proper now’s the legislative session,” Whitfield stated. “We’re working with nonprofits, we’re working with personal businesses, we’re working with state packages, and actually with the ability to hear from all of them what must be coverage priorities.”
“I feel we’d like insurance policies that incentivize growth,” she added. “We want insurance policies that have a look at how packages can work higher collectively. We want insurance policies that create capital, but in addition create ongoing assist for the event of reasonably priced housing and, and housing for all New Mexicans.
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