Eviction rates in many U.S. cities spiked after pandemic-era protections such as moratoriums and rental assistance expired. In some cities, the jump was as high as 50% compared to pre-pandemic rates.
But while Albuquerque fared better than average — according to the Princeton University Eviction Lab — there were still 778 eviction filings last month and 8,895 in the last 12 months. Since March 2020, Albuquerque has recorded 35,206 evictions.
The implications are particularly harsh for those who are low income or extremely low income — landlords use eviction records in their screening process to decide whether to accept or reject a potential tenant. Rejections can result in unstable housing situations or people teetering on the edge of homelessness. Some find themselves living on the street or in the shelter system.
Democratic Rep. Janelle Anyanonu, whose district includes Albuquerque’s International District, is proposing a solution. She’s sponsoring House Bill 98 — legislation that would require eviction records to be expunged after five years. In New Mexico, an eviction record currently lives on in perpetuity.
“An eviction from many, many years ago can limit housing options for people who are otherwise capable of affording rental housing,” Anyanonu said. “An eviction should not be a life sentence that keeps someone from ever securing stable housing.”
She thinks the five-year timeframe still respects a landlord’s need to have a fair picture of a potential renter’s financial situation. In her research, she discovered some states expunge eviction records after three years, but thought that might be unfairly short.
‘Everyday people who hit a rough patch’
Anyanonu said she’s met constituents who’ve been evicted after an unexpected medical bill, a relationship break-up or a divorce — and that eviction records disproportionately affect people of color and domestic violence survivors.
“I know, and I think most of us know, many hardworking people who have been evicted for mild, temporary financial struggles,” she said. “These aren’t people with a pattern of nonpayment or bad behavior. They are everyday people who hit a rough patch.”
Anyanonu has only been a representative since 2023, but said she’s not aware of a similar bill ever being proposed. HB 98 made its way successfully through the House Government, Elections & Indian Affairs Committee on a 6-3 vote and is now scheduled to be heard in the House Judiciary Committee. The legislative session ends March 22.
“This bill helps working families, seniors on fixed incomes, single parents, and young people just starting out,” Anyanonu said. “It gives people a chance to move forward without being forever punished for something that happened five or more years ago.”