The Albuquerque City Council unanimously approved the Slumlord Accountability Ordinance on Monday, August 6th, 2007, sponsored by City Councilor Martin Heinrich (District 6). The ordinance mandates that the residential property owner or manager bear the financial costs of relocation when the City of Albuquerque’s Code Enforcement Team determines living conditions are unsafe.

In years past, families have sometimes been displaced – often times on short notice -- due to the closure of poorly managed rental properties; this bill requires the property owner to bear the financial responsibility of relocating.
The new ordinance appropriates $100,000 to cover start-up costs. Two-thousand per family will be available for displaced renters who meet certain criteria. Councilor Heinrich believes that the relocation payment support, combined with timely intervention from trained housing specialists, will also enable people to identify better, safer and more affordable places to call home, in addition to encouraging more responsible property management.

“This ordinance is a practical and common sense way to hold property owners accountable, and to prevent low-income people from becoming homeless,” said Councilor Heinrich. “The threat of having to pay relocation costs for displaced families should provide an incentive for negligent landlords to address code violations and keep their properties from becoming nuisances in the first place.”

Mark Allison, President of the Albuquerque Affordable Housing Coalition, worked with the Albuquerque Apartment Association and others to help Councilor Heinrich draft a consensus ordinance that in the end, expresses a broader statement of the value of quality housing in Albuquerque.

“The people of Albuquerque deserve safe and decent housing. Neighborhoods deserve to be free of nuisance and eyesore properties. This ordinance will provide the city with another important tool to accomplish both of these important objectives," said Allison.

For more information, please contact City Councilor Martin Heinrich at 768-3100.

A block of dilapidated housing that has been boarded-up for years is slated for removal today by City crews. Jessie and Fred Sais, long-time active members of the Wells Park Neighborhood Association, were instrumental in pushing for removal of these nuisance properties.

“Not only have the properties been a safety issue, we believe they have negatively affected our property values. The whole neighborhood is happy to see them go. They have been nothing but problems for us,” said Jessie Sais.

Fred Sais, President of the association, added “We worked hard with State Representative Rick Miera, and Councilor Debbie O’Malley to pressure the City to do something about the problem. We’re glad the Mayor agreed to move forward.”

Councilor O’Malley, who represents Wells Park Neighborhood, believes removal of these properties represents a great opportunity for redevelopment. “The neighbors now have an opportunity to engage in planning for the revitalization of an entire block within their neighborhood. It’s a great day for the neighborhoods.”

On Thursday, a Workforce Housing Plan for Mesa del Sol was approved by the Mesa del Sol Tax Increment District Board of Directors. The Plan, which is supported by Mesa del Sol, will go before the City Council for consideration during Monday’s meeting (R-07-193).

“This plan is a big step forward in securing affordable housing for working families in this new, emerging community,” said Councilor Benton whose District includes Mesa del Sol. “Councilor O’Malley and I met with Mike Daly (Forest City’s COO), affordable housing developers, community members, consultants, and representatives from Mesa del Sol numerous times to hammer out an agreement that is beneficial to both the City and Mesa del Sol.”

Councilor O’Malley said that crafting a comprehensive plan for Mesa del Sol was very challenging.

“Forest City is a multi-billion dollar developer that has enormous resources and expertise. They are tough negotiators,” O’Malley said. She added that she appreciated Mike Daly’s commitment to working with Council members and other advocates of affordable housing on a plan that will insure that many working families will have an opportunity to live and work in their community.

“Councilors Benton and O’Malley are to be commended for their efforts, said Councilor Martin Heinrich. This agreement shows Albuquerque’s commitment to quality affordable housing and creating truly mixed income neighborhoods.”

Catherine Woodward, Executive Director of the Albuquerque Affordable Housing Coalition whose group was involved in the discussions, was pleased that an agreement was reached. “This is a thoughtful and progressive plan that makes homeownership and affordable rents possible for young families, the elderly and the disabled who are often priced out of the housing market. It should serve as a model for TIF (Tax Increment Financed) Districts nationwide. We hope that it will receive the full support of the Council.”