Bernalillo County officials have in recent years recognized a need for more housing. They have helped developers secure financial incentives to build and asked state legislators to invest in solutions to the housing shortage.
Now, they’re asking voters to approve $1.7 million in general obligation bonds for public housing projects.
Most of the money — $1 million — would go toward ongoing efforts to improve housing stock in the county. Those include acquiring property and planning, designing, upgrading, constructing, and remodeling housing units.
Those efforts are focused on assisting the county’s low-income, homeless, senior and disabled populations.
The remaining $700,000 is intended for improvements at the Seybold Village and El Centro housing complexes in the South Valley. The former was built in the 1970s and 1980s; the 21-unit complex serves low-income handicapped and disabled residents.
El Centro is a 54-unit gated community and has 140 residents and serves those 55 and older. Each complex is income adjusted, with rents based on residents’ adjusted incomes.
The bond money, county spokesperson Melissa Smith said, will cover some routine maintenance costs; the improvements include upgrades to flooring, countertops and cabinets, interior wall replacement, new painting and full bathroom rehabs.
Smith said the need for affordable housing is severe, as the Mid-Region Council of Governments predicts the area’s population aged 65 and older could reach 140,000 by 2040.
In addition to the bond package, county commissioners this year have approved resolutions seeking $100 million in capital outlay funding from the Legislature and supporting a $500 million funding request for Housing New Mexico, 10% to 20% of which would be earmarked for assisting local governments’ affordable housing efforts.
The package includes another question, seeking $2.5 million for county libraries.
Smith said the money will go toward expanding the materials collection at 19 library branches and needed capital improvements. She said the county is asking for another $2 million from state lawmakers in 2025 capital improvements at libraries.
The library system has more than 500,000 active members who visit in person or use the online platform, Smith said.
Bernalillo County has six bond questions on the general election ballot, seeking a total of about $40.5 million.
The other bond questions are for transportation, parks and recreation, storm drainage and utilities and public safety facilities, fleet, and county buildings.
Early voting is underway and same-day registration is available through Nov. 5.