OFFICE OF HOUSING PLANNING & PRODUCTION

HB 448 creates the Office of Housing Planning and Production within New Mexico's Department of Finance and Administration to address housing challenges. The office will develop statewide housing strategies, collect and analyze housing data (including regional gaps and market trends), and provide technical assistance to local governments, tribes, and communities to increase housing availability - especially for low-income and homeless households. Key duties include streamlining land use regulations, promoting innovative housing solutions (like modular homes), and coordinating state and local efforts to reduce costs and grow housing capacity. This bill directly affects New Mexicans facing housing shortages, with a focus on improving access through data-driven policy and local partnerships.