Amid Trump’s Affordability Crisis, Luján Pushes Solutions on Housing Affordability and Early Childhood Action

Luján Continues Spotlighting Rising Costs Across New Mexico and Efforts to Fight Back Against Trump's Cost-Raising Policies

Santa Fe, N.M. - As costs continue to skyrocket under President Trump's costly and chaotic policies, U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) is holding events across New Mexico to hear directly from families, educators, housing leaders, and advocates about the challenges they are facing. During the forums, Senator Luján highlighted legislative actions he is taking to lower costs, expand access to early education, and fight for affordable housing.

In Santa Fe at the Flores Del Sol Head Start, Senator Luján - one of two Head Start graduates to serve in the U.S. Senate - brought together professionals and experts in Head Start, Pre-K, and early education to address the challenges stemming from funding freezes and cuts by the Trump administration. Senator Luján and the early education experts identified priorities to boost early education and legislative efforts to strengthen programs like Head Start in New Mexico and across the country. Senator Luján was joined by Head Start families, who shared how the program has benefited them and expressed concerns about recent efforts by the Trump administration to undermine it.

"As a Head Start graduate, I know firsthand the opportunities early education creates for children and families," said Senator Luján. "That's why I'm fighting back against the Trump administration's costly policies and efforts to undermine programs like Head Start. Every child deserves access to a strong early education, and I will keep working to expand those opportunities and lower costs for families across New Mexico."

Senator Luján also met with Santa Fe County and City housing leaders and advocates to address the housing affordability crisis and highlight actions to lower costs for New Mexicans. During the event, Senator Luján spotlighted the $1 million in federal funding he secured for Homewise Inc. to support housing projects in Santa Fe and discussed ongoing efforts to expand affordable housing access. Additionally, Senator Luján highlighted federal funding he secured for critical Santa Fe housing projects, including $2.5 million for trauma-informed housing, $1.2 million to re-stucco approximately 195 low-income rental units, and $500,000 to provide electrical upgrades to 183 low-income rental units. New Mexicans also highlighted how the Trump administration's costly policies and attacks on rental assistance programs are driving up housing costs and putting affordable housing further out of reach for families.

"There's no question we must continue working to address the housing affordability crisis and support families struggling to find affordable housing in New Mexico and across the country," said Senator Luján. "While the Trump administration pushes costly policies that would gut rental assistance and affordable housing programs, working families are being priced out of the communities they helped build. That's unacceptable. I fought to secure millions for housing projects in Santa Fe because we need real solutions that lower costs and expand affordable housing opportunities, and I will keep fighting to deliver for New Mexicans."

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