Evan Chandler
News
Members of the Chainbreaker Collective talk about the importance of renter's assistance and new funds from the city.
Low-income Santa Fe residents in danger of eviction and coping with rent increases or housing uncertainty can now apply for a share of $1 million in cash grants, city officials announced Wednesday afternoon.
”If we want Santa Fe to stay Santa Fe, we have to maintain a diverse population of workers. Anyone who works in Santa Fe should be able to live in Santa Fe. Many in our workforce are renters,” Mayor Alan Webber said at a news conference he held in front of City Hall in conjunction with members of the Chainbreaker Collective. “This recognizes the housing crisis but also recognizes the need for social justice.”
The city similarly gave out cash grants in 2021 using federal pandemic relief money, but this time the grants will come from city coffers.
Chainbreaker advocated for the measure and plans to work so local tenants know they can apply for the help. A collective member and renter named Bernadette, who asked that her last name not be published, told reporters she experienced increasing rent and was on a month-to-month lease.
“We deserve to live in dignity. There is power in organizing. These eviction prevention funds can help us deal with these predatory rent increases,” she said. “We appreciate the partnership with the city and all they are doing to help renters like me.”
The city plans to distribute the $1 million in increments of $3,000 to 333 households. Applications will remain open until all the funds are expended, and any unexpended funds can be rolled over into the next fiscal year, Youth and Family Services Division Director Julie Sanchez tells SFR.
To qualify, applicants must be a resident of the City of Santa Fe and be over 18 years of age and must meet at least one the following criteria: are in any stage of the process of eviction; have experienced increasing rents or had hardship paying rent since April 2020; have no written lease or a lease with less than six months remaining; or received verbal or written demand of payment for rent fines, fees and other penalties and/or notice to evict from a landlord or property manager is eligible. Undocumented individuals are eligible to receive funding.
Applicants must also meet criteria for the state’s definition of “indigent,” defined as household income at or below 80% of the area median income. In Santa Fe for a family of four, for example, the threshold is $68,000.
“I’m very happy to be able to be a part of this initiative. This is your tax dollar coming back to you,” Community Health and Safety Department Director Kyra Ochoa said. “Direct cash assistance is an empowering way to let families take care of their needs right away, and that’s the way it should be.”
Sanchez said the city hopes to have a 48-to-72-hour turnaround between approval of funding and distribution, but expects delays in the beginning due to the volume of applicants.
Residents can apply for funding online through the CONNECT Network, a city and county collaboration made up of over 60 programs and 200 navigators or by calling 211.
Chainbreaker Collective will launch its first “Know Your Rights and Resources” clinic aimed at providing tenants with information on how to apply to the fund Oct. 1.
