Eviction Prevention

FCS Health & Social Service Centers Emergency Rental & Utility Assistance Program

Health & Social Service Centers, which are part of the Family & Community Services (FCS) Department, also run an emergency rental and utility assistance program. This program can help renters with unpaid rent and utilities if they are at risk of eviction or utility shut-off.

The criteria for this program are different than the criteria for the NM Emergency Rental Assistance Program. Staff at the Health & Social Service Centers know the rules for both programs and will help connect people to the program that is the best fit for the situation. Funding is limited and all services provided are subject to availability of funds. For more information, contact the Health & Social Services Center located closest to where you live (see chart below).

CDBG-CV Eviction Prevention Program - (rental and utility assistance for income qualified households using federal COVID funds)
Download flyer for more information: Español | Tiếng Việt | 中文 Zhōngwén | العربية 

FCS Health & Social Service Center Locations

New Mexico Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP)

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, temporary federal funds were made available to help people stay housed during difficult times. The City combined its ERAP funds with the State’s, and applications were accepted/awards made through renthelpnm.org or nmhomefund.org. Effective January 1, 2023 the ERAP program for City of Albuquerque renters closed to new applications. The only exception is for renters who have received a “Notice to Evict” due to nonpayment. If you are facing eviction, please contact the Eviction Prevention and Diversion program at www.nmevictionprevention.com, which is the only way new applicants can be considered for ERAP financial assistance.

Applications submitted before 1/1/23 to renthelpnm.org or nmhomefund.org will continue to be reviewed, processed and awarded in this priority order:  Those with an eviction notice; First time applicants; All other applicants

There is assistance still available (not financial) such as housing stability services and legal aid, that you can find at nmhomefund.org.  In addition, you can complete an interest form, should financial rental assistance become available in the future.

Renters OUTSIDE the City of Albuquerque but still in the unincorporated portions of Bernalillo County still may be eligible to receive rent and utility support. This program is administered separately by Bernalillo County. They cannot help people who live within the actual City of Albuquerque limits. bernco.gov/rent

Download the Emergency Rental Assistance Program Flyer:
Español | العربية | kiswahili| 中文 Zhōngwén | Tiếng Việt | 한국어 hangugeo | Tagalog

*This project is supported, in whole or in part, by CFDA number 21.023 awarded to the City of Albuquerque by the U.S. Department of the Treasury.

Bernalillo County Resources

The resources listed above are only for Albuquerque residents. If you live in unincorporated Bernalillo County, you can apply for help with rent and utilities through Bernalillo County.

Tenant Rights: What to Know & Do If You Are Behind on Your Rent

What should I do if I can’t pay my rent?

If you are unable to pay your rent, take these steps as soon as possible:

• Talk to the landlord and explain your situation. Try to work out a payment plan before the landlord gives you a three-day notice or takes you to court. Put it in writing!
• Apply for rental or utility assistance help as soon as possible (see “Resources for Eviction Prevention” above)

What if my landlord takes me to court?

To evict a tenant, the landlord must file a court case, go to a hearing and get an order from the judge ordering the tenant to be evicted. 

The judge must offer the tenant and landlord the opportunity to mediate the case in the Eviction Prevention and Diversion Program. This is a new mediation program for eviction cases. The case will only go to mediation if both the landlord and the tenant agree they want to mediate the case.

Watch this short video from New Mexico Legal Aid about the eviction court process.

What are my rights?

• You cannot be legally evicted without a court order.
• It is illegal for a landlord to evict a tenant without a court order by doing any of the following:
  • Changing locks
  • Disconnecting electricity, water or gas
  • Being violent
  • Threatening to do any of the above.
• A landlord is required to give you a three-, seven- or thirty-day notice with the reasons for terminating the lease before the landlord can go to court to evict you. But, you can agree to move out voluntarily. You may still owe the rent money to the landlord even if you move out. Decide what is best for you.

What can I do if I have received a notice or my landlord has filed for an eviction with the court?

• Apply for rental assistance as soon as possible if you can’t pay your rent.
  
• Go to court for the hearing. During the pandemic some hearings may be over the phone. Read all Court instructions carefully. Missing a hearing could mean you will be evicted and lose your home.
• Seek legal help when you know you may face eviction.

The FCS Court Outreach Assistance (CORA) Program can help you access emergency rental assistance if your landlord has filed for eviction. Working in partnership with the New Mexico Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) and the Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court system, CORA representatives can assist people who have gone to court for eviction due to the non-payment of rent with submitting an online ERAP application. Staff will assist with creating an online account, the scanning and uploading of documents, and submittal of the application.

Call 505-768-3896 for more information or to schedule an in-person appointment with one of our representatives.

Download the CORA Flyer: English | Español | العربية

Where can I get legal help?

The following organizations may be able to provide legal assistance. Please call them directly at the number listed below. For more information on tenant laws, check out New Mexico Legal Aid’s Renter’s Guide.

For information about the City's housing safety code requirements, read the Office of Consumer Protection Renter's Guide to the Housing Code