How to combat New Mexico’s housing crisis? UNM law professor and advocate Serge Martinez has answers.

Authors

Serge A. Martinez, University of New Mexico - School of LawFollow
Annabella Farmer, Searchlight NM

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

10-6-2021

Abstract

Years before he became a law professor at the University of New Mexico, Serge Martinez worked in the South Bronx helping tenants defend their rights. The experience planted a seed that would grow into a deep-rooted belief: Housing is a basic human right. “Without stable housing, any other intervention, any social service we have is going to fail,” he says.

Martinez teaches at the UNM law school’s Economic Justice Clinic, focusing on issues of housing stability and tenant protections. He represents clients struggling with housing insecurity and advocates for housing reform. In 2020 he also co-founded a nonprofit called Amparo that provides housing assistance for families with school-age children in Bernalillo County.

Publisher

Searchlight NM, Independent Investigative Journalism

Publication Title

Searchlight NM

City

Santa Fe

Recommended Citation

Serge A. Martinez & Annabella Farmer, How to combat New Mexico’s housing crisis? UNM law professor and advocate Serge Martinez has answers., Searchlight NM (2021).
Available at: https://digitalrepository.unm.edu/law_facultyscholarship/872

Comments

Eviction S.O.S.

Are you facing eviction and need immediate help? Housing advocates recommend the following steps:

• Talk to your landlord. It might be possible to reach an agreement about staying in your rental.
• If you’ve been served with eviction papers, read them.
• Call New Mexico Legal Aid or the other phone numbers below.
• Go to your eviction hearing. If you don’t show up, you automatically lose.

New Mexico Legal Aid: 1-833-LGL-HELP (1-833-545-4357)

City of Albuquerque Office of Civil Rights: 505-768-4595

Senior Citizens Law Office: 505-265-2300

Amparo: fill out the Contact Form.

Apply for the New Mexico ERAP (Emergency Rental Assistance Program)

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