New Mexico invests $7.8 million to help students' families stay housed in seven school districts

ALBUQUERQUE – Families in seven New Mexico school districts, from Las Cruces to the Four Corners, can get help through their children's schools this year to cover rent, utilities, car repairs, and other emergencies that push kids out of their homes and out of the classroom.

The New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions' Office of Housing is investing $7.8 million this school year in its Family Stabilization program. The program continues in Albuquerque, Las Cruces and Santa Fe public schools, which piloted it last year, and expands for the first time to all four school districts in San Juan County: Farmington Municipal Schools, Aztec Municipal Schools, Bloomfield School District and Central Consolidated School District. Combined with $4.85 million last school year, the state's investment now totals more than $12.6 million.

In the 2025-2026 school year, the pilot served 487 families and 1,240 students. 

"When families don't have stable housing, one of the first impacts we see is in the children's performance at school," said Sarita Nair, NMDWS Cabinet Secretary. "By partnering with school districts, we can connect families to resources where they already have trusted relationships and help address housing challenges before they become even more difficult." 

The New Mexico Public Education Department's Education for Homeless Children and Youth program McKinney-Vento Act data identified students experiencing housing instability make up 8% of the student population in San Juan County, compared to nearly 4% of the population in Albuquerque Public Schools. Based on this data, in the current school year, the Office of Housing expanded the Family Stabilization program to four districts in San Juan County:  Farmington Municipal Schools, Aztec Municipal Schools, Bloomfield School District and Central Consolidated School District. 

"The McKinney-Vento families in San Juan County urgently need this funding and the support it provides," said Forrest Verde Dudek, Office of Housing Senior Project Manager. "By covering an entire county, this expansion will give us an idea of how impactful Family Stabilization funding could be if it were to be implemented statewide." 

Each school district developed its own approach based on the needs of the students and families it serves. 

Awarded funding and projects: 

Albuquerque Public Schools (APS): $2,600,000 in FY26, $3,100,000 in FY27* 

Over the last school year, APS served 263 families and 644 students through its Family and Youth Stabilization Project, operated in partnership with Bernalillo County. The model paired financial assistance with intensive case management and educational support. APS provided services including eviction prevention and rent assistance, child and youth stabilization support, stabilization essentials, and emergency and rapid rehousing assistance in coordination with Bernalillo County Housing. The program included frequent case-management contact and continued support through the end of the school year. This program is anticipated to continue in the 2026-2027 school year. *Agreements are in the process of being finalized. 

Las Cruces Public Schools: $1,400,000 in FY26, $2,000,000 in FY27 

Over the last school year, LCPS served 131 families including 357 children. This video highlights their Family Stabilization project. Families worked with Community Navigators and McKinney-Vento staff to develop individualized stabilization plans. Assistance was available through four flexible funding categories addressing basic needs and barriers to stability, housing subsidies, household essentials and emergencies. The district also partnered with the Community Foundation of Southern New Mexico as its fiscal agent and worked with community organizations including Tresco and FYI. This program will continue in the 2026-2027 school year. 

Santa Fe Public Schools: $850,000 in FY26, $500,000 in FY27 

Over the last school year, SFPS operated the Building Bridges Project through its Adelante Program, using a family-centered planning model, to serve 239 students in 93 families. Families worked with Family Support Specialists to identify their priorities and develop individualized plans. The program connected families with financial education, family development services and flexible stabilization assistance that could address housing, transportation, employment and education support, and essential household needs. This program will continue in the 2026-2027 school year. 

"Me and my 6-year-old son were on the verge of getting evicted from our home," said a SFPS Family Stabilization Participant. "They helped me with my eviction notice and we were able to stay in our home. They paid for my vehicle to be fixed. It's an amazing program and I am so thankful to have been a part of it."

Farmington Municipal Schools: $750,000 in FY27 

FMS aims to use Family Stabilization funding to serve 50 families within 21 schools in Farmington for FY27.  During the 2025-26 school year, 655 McKinney-Vento students were identified out of a total of 10,419 students enrolled in FMS schools. 

Central Consolidated School District: $750,000 in FY27 

CCSD aims to use Family Stabilization funding to serve 100 families within 15 schools in the Four Corners area for FY27.  During the 2025-26 school year, 516 McKinney-Vento students were identified out of a total of 4,214 students enrolled in CCSD schools. 

Bloomfield School District: $400,000 in FY27 

BSD aims to use Family Stabilization funding to serve 29 families within 7 schools in Bloomfield for FY27.  During the 2025-26 school year, 315 McKinney-Vento students were identified out of a total of 2,354 students enrolled in BSD schools. 

Aztec Municipal Schools: $300,000 in FY27 

AMS aims to use Family Stabilization funding to serve 30 families within 7 schools in Aztec for FY27.  During the 2025-26 school year, 69 McKinney-Vento students were identified out of a total of 2,303 students enrolled in AMS schools. 

"Last year's Family Stabilization pilot demonstrated the difference that targeted support can make for children and families," said Michelle Vignery, Data, Grants & Financial Operations Manager, Santa Fe Public Schools Adelante McKinney-Vento Program. "We are grateful to the New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions for continuing this funding into the current school year, allowing us to build on what we learned, remove barriers to school success, and help families work toward greater housing security while strengthening the foundation for their children's education."

The Office of Housing will continue working with communities and partners to identify approaches that help New Mexico families access stable housing and create stronger foundations for students to learn and succeed.