The New Mexico Mortgage Finance Authority is a self-supporting quasi-governmental entity that provides financing to make quality affordable housing and other related services available to low- and moderate-income New Mexicans. Using funding from housing bonds, tax credits and other federal and state agencies, MFA provides resources to build affordable rental communities, rehabilitate aging homes, supply down payment assistance and affordable mortgages, offer emergency shelter and administer rental assistance and subsidies. MFA partners with lenders, REALTORS, nonprofit organizations, local governments, tribal communities and developers throughout the state to make these programs and services available to all eligible New Mexicans.History
In 1975, the New Mexico State Legislature created the New Mexico Mortgage Finance Authority to distribute low interest rate mortgage money to low-and moderate-income families throughout the state. Funds were generated through the sale of tax-exempt mortgage revenue bonds. Through the 80s and early 90s, MFA steadily expanded its financing portfolio from mortgage loans to include down payment assistance, rental housing construction and in-house loan servicing.
In 1997, MFA became the state government’s designated housing agency, bringing all of New Mexico’s housing departments together under one roof. All state and federal housing programs are now administered by MFA, including Section 8 housing and the Department of Energy's weatherization programs. MFA also provides oversight of New Mexico's regional housing authorities.
Today, MFA's staff of 77 provides housing services to approximately 18,000 New Mexico families each year. The agency works with more than 150 agencies to provide affordable housing including nonprofit organizations, governmental entities and tribal communities. MFA also partners with lenders and REALTORS across the state to bring its homeownership programs to New Mexicans.
In 2015, MFA celebrated its 40th anniversary. A book was published that year that chronicled MFA's beginnings, its expansion and the historic building in which MFA's offices are currently located. A timeline graphic was also created to visually illustrate MFA's history.
Structure
MFA is completely self-sufficient and receives no operational money from the state. It manages an average of $4 billion in assets annually.
The agency is led by seven board members. Four of the board members are from the private sector and are appointed by the governor with the approval of the state senate. Three are ex-officio voting members who serve by virtue of their state office: the lieutenant governor, the state's attorney general and the state treasurer.
Rules and regulations governing MFA must be approved by an oversight committee from the New Mexico legislature. The committee is comprised of 19 members from the House of Representatives and the Senate.
- MFA Rules and Regulations - Revised November 2015
- Website Notice
- MFA Rules and Regulations - Proposed Changes November 2018
- MFA Rules and Regulations - Proposed Changes April 2019
Services
In calendar year 2020, MFA provided more than $638 million in low-interest financing and grants for affordable housing and related services in New Mexico. Highlights include:
- $470 million in mortgage loans and
- $19 million in down payment assistance to help almost 2,700 families become homeowners
- $103 million in financing to construct or rehabilitate 1,100 affordable rental and for-sale homes
- $32.6 million in project-based Section 8 rental assistance payments processed for 5,230 low-income households
- $6.2 million to rehabilitate and improve energy-efficiency for 775 low-income homeowners
- $2.1 million in rental housing cost assistance to stabilize or prevent homelessness for more than 1,700 individuals with special needs
- $2 million in shelter and transitional housing costs for almost 6,000 individuals experiencing homelessness
- $820,000 in rental assistance to prevent homelessness for 677 individuals
