Bernalillo County commissioners approved an item Tuesday to keep housing voucher rates unchanged for 2026, rejecting a federal decrease that officials warned would harm low-income renters.
The county will maintain current subsidy levels, which average 2.9% above the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s fair market rents, to help tenants stay competitive in a rising rental market.
Under the Housing Choice Voucher program, tenants pay 30% of their income toward rent and utilities, with the county covering the rest up to a set payment standard. HUD allows local authorities to set standards between 90% and 110% of Fair Market Rents…