Section 42-3-11 - Advisory assistance program. - New Mexico Statutes

42-3-11. Advisory assistance program.

A.     Programs or projects undertaken by a displacing agency shall be planned in a manner that:   

(1)     recognizes at an early stage in the planning of programs or projects, and before the commencement of any actions which will cause displacements, the problems associated with the displacement of individuals, families, businesses and farm operations; and   

(2)     provides for the resolution of displacement problems in order to minimize adverse impacts on displaced persons and to expedite the program or project advancement and completion.   

B.     The head of any displacing agency shall ensure that the relocation assistance advisory services described in Subsection C of this section are made available to all persons displaced by the displacing agency.  If the head of the displacing agency determines that any person occupying property immediately adjacent to the property where the displacing activity occurs is caused substantial economic injury as a result of the displacing activity, the head of the displacing agency may make available to any person occupying the adjacent property the relocation assistance advisory services.   

C.     Each relocation assistance advisory program required by Subsection B of this section shall include those measures, facilities or services that may be necessary or appropriate in order to:   

(1)     determine the need and make timely recommendations on the needs and preferences, if any, of displaced persons for relocation assistance;   

(2)     provide current and continuing information on the availability, sales prices and rental charges of comparable replacement dwellings for displaced homeowners and tenants and suitable locations for businesses and farm operations;   

(3)     assure that a person shall not be required to move from a dwelling unless the person has had a reasonable opportunity to relocate to a comparable replacement dwelling except in the case of:   

(a)     a major disaster as defined in Section 102(2) of the Disaster Relief Act of 1974;   

(b)     a national emergency declared by the president of the United States;   

(c)     any other emergency which requires the person to move immediately from the dwelling because continued occupancy of the dwelling by the person constitutes a substantial danger to the health or safety of the person;   

(4)     assist a person displaced from his business or farm operation to obtain and become established in a suitable replacement location; and   

(5)     supply information concerning federal, state and local programs which may be of assistance to displaced persons, supply technical assistance to displaced persons in applying for assistance under these programs and minimize hardships to the displaced persons in adjusting to relocation.