Housing and financial assistance for women combines federal programs (HUD, TANF, SNAP, LIHEAP) with state and local efforts. Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers and public housing are administered by local Public Housing Authorities (PHAs), with VAWA giving survivors of domestic violence priority and emergency transfer rights. Emergency shelter and rapid rehousing run through HUD's Continuum of Care and Coordinated Entry. Mothers with custodial children typically qualify for TANF cash assistance and family-priority housing. Community action agencies and 211 lines coordinate utility help, emergency funds, and rent assistance. This directory covers PHAs, shelter systems, 211 referral lines, and community action agencies.
New Mexico district courts handle divorce and custody in each of its 13 judicial districts. The Child Support Enforcement Division operates under HSD. Albuquerque, Las Cruces, Rio Rancho, and Santa Fe are the largest cities. New Mexico Legal Aid (NMLA) and the New Mexico Coalition Against Domestic Violence provide statewide civil legal aid and safety services for women.
MFA at 344 4th St SW in Albuquerque is the state's housing finance agency, running down-payment assistance, first-time homebuyer loans, Section 8 vouchers in many counties, and the NM Emergency Rental Assistance Program. Call 505-843-6880 weekdays for current programs and waitlist status. Most assistance is income-based.
505-843-6880 · 344 4th St SW, Albuquerque, NM 87102 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website
Habitat affiliates across New Mexico — Greater Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Las Cruces, and others — partner with qualifying families to build affordable homes through sweat-equity. Call 505-359-2444 to ask about your nearest affiliate's open application window; eligibility is based on income, housing need, and willingness to partner.
505-359-2444 · Albuquerque, NM · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm
Dial 211 from anywhere in New Mexico to be routed to United Way operators who can connect you to emergency rent assistance, shelter placement, and utility help — including NM-specific programs administered through MFA, HSD, and local CAP agencies. 24/7, bilingual, free.
211 · Statewide Service · 24/7
AHA at 1840 University Blvd SE administers public housing and Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers across the Albuquerque metro. Waitlists open periodically; check the site or call 505-764-3990 weekdays. Priority preferences apply for homeless families, DV survivors, and elderly/disabled applicants.
505-764-3990 · 1840 University Blvd SE, Albuquerque, NM 87106 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website
Salvation Army New Mexico operates emergency shelter, transitional housing, and rent/utility assistance through corps offices in Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Las Cruces, and Roswell. Call 505-881-4292 for the Albuquerque corps; programs vary by location and funding availability.
505-881-4292 · Albuquerque, NM · Mon-Fri 9am-5pm · Visit Website
Barrett House is Albuquerque's longest-running emergency shelter specifically for women and children experiencing homelessness, offering 24/7 intake, case management, and transitional housing. Call 505-345-6400 anytime — beds depend on capacity, and staff can help arrange a warm handoff to another shelter if Barrett is full.
505-345-6400 · Albuquerque, NM · 24/7
Community of Hope at 999 W Amador in Las Cruces is a one-stop homeless services campus with day shelter, case management, mailing addresses, and connections to permanent housing programs across Dona Ana County. Call 575-523-2219 to confirm walk-in hours.
575-523-2219 · 999 W Amador Ave, Las Cruces, NM 88005 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm
St. Martin's at 1201 3rd St NW in downtown Albuquerque provides day-shelter services, meals, mail, showers, case management, and supportive housing for women experiencing homelessness. Call 505-224-8629 to confirm services for the day. Free; no ID required to walk in.
505-224-8629 · 1201 3rd St NW, Albuquerque, NM 87102 · Mon-Fri 8am-3pm
Federal Housing and Urban Development site with the NM HUD field office locator (Albuquerque), HUD-approved housing counseling agencies across the state, and the searchable directory of New Mexico public housing authorities beyond AHA — including those in Santa Fe, Las Cruces, and the Navajo Housing Authority.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
HUD's Continuum of Care portal lists every NM CoC — Albuquerque/Bernalillo County, the Balance of State CoC, and the New Mexico Coalition to End Homelessness — and which agencies coordinate intake into homeless services in your county.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program funds New Mexico's HSD-run utility-assistance programs. Cold-month assistance is especially important in northern NM where heating costs spike. Apply through HSD or your local Community Action Agency.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
The national Salvation Army locator finds the nearest NM corps office for emergency rent, utility, food, and shelter assistance, including in smaller towns like Hobbs, Carlsbad, and Farmington where other safety-net options are thinner.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
Catholic Charities of Central New Mexico (Albuquerque) and Catholic Charities of Northern New Mexico provide emergency assistance, housing counseling, refugee resettlement, and immigration legal services regardless of faith. Use the national locator to find your closest office.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
United Way of Central New Mexico and United Way of Santa Fe County coordinate funding and 211 services across the state. The national locator shows which local United Way is active in your county and what programs they currently fund.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
Habitat for Humanity International's locator shows every NM affiliate and their current application window — useful when your local affiliate's waitlist is closed but a nearby one has openings.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
Family Promise of Albuquerque and Family Promise of Santa Fe operate the national model of congregational shelter for families experiencing homelessness, keeping families intact rather than separating moms from older sons or older children.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website