Behind the RENT Ordinance: Part 5
A Seat at the Table: Why Housing Policy Must Include All Voices
When it comes to creating effective housing policy, one principle should be non-negotiable: all stakeholders deserve a seat at the table. But Ordinance O-25-88 was drafted with little to no input from Albuquerque’s housing providers—those who work every day to maintain safe, affordable rental housing in our community.
In this series, we’re focusing on a fundamental flaw in the development of O-25-88: the exclusion of the very people who would be most impacted.
What’s Missing from the Process?
From the earliest stages, O-25-88 was shaped primarily by tenant advocacy organizations, with minimal outreach to housing providers, REALTORS®, or industry professionals. As a result, the ordinance reflects a one-sided perspective—one that overlooks:
- The operational challenges of maintaining rental properties
- The legal risks landlords face under vague or conflicting regulations
- The economic reality of providing housing in an already strained market
- The importance of collaboration between landlords and tenants
The absence of industry voices led to a proposal that feels punitive rather than productive, alienating the very partners needed to make housing solutions work.
Why This Matters
Housing policy should never be developed in a vacuum. Good policy requires balance, dialogue, and a shared understanding of real-world consequences. By excluding housing providers from the conversation, the City missed an opportunity to craft smarter, more sustainable solutions.
That’s not just bad politics—it’s a missed opportunity to build trust, find common ground, and improve housing outcomes for everyone.
A REALTOR® Perspective
REALTORS® are uniquely positioned to understand both sides of the rental equation. We support efforts to protect tenants, but we also know that property rights, due process, and housing economics matter. When these perspectives are ignored, policy suffers—and so does our community.
REALTORS® aren’t just opponents of O-25-88. We’re ready to be part of the solution.
Stay Informed. Stay Ready.
Thanks to the strength of your advocacy, O-25-88 did not advance to the full City Council—but it’s not gone. Because it was never formally withdrawn, it remains active in committee and could return at the next LUPZ meeting on Wednesday, August 13th.
If it does, we’ll be ready. And this time, we’ll keep pushing for something better: a policy that includes everyone at the table.
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