Bernalillo County officials made clear Jan. 9 what it wants to see from lawmakers in Santa Fe this year: $550 million directed to affordable housing programs and homelessness initiatives. The amount represents the bulk of almost $554 million in funding requests or endorsements.
The board of commissioners’ legislative priorities provide a window into some of the issues the county and its constituents – including those in Albuquerque, its most populous city – are most concerned about: namely a lack of affordable housing, a chronic homelessness problem, and a shortage of behavioral health workers. Commission chair Barbara Baca said the county’s legislative requests offer quick help in all three areas.
“It’s a multifaceted approach that needs to be addressed; there’s not one solution,” Baca said. “If we can create affordable housing when people are on the brink of homelessness, we can prevent it.”
- $250 million for NMMFA trust fund.
- $250 million for NMMFA opportunity enterprise fund.
- $40 million to support statewide homelessness initiatives.
- $10 million for the MRGHC.
- $3 million for fentanyl education.
- $750,000 for BCSO’s multipurpose helicopter.
Baca said a key piece of the puzzle is the Middle Rio Grande Housing Collaborative (MRGHC), an alliance with the city of Albuquerque which launched last year. The county has issued a $10 million capital outlay request to lawmakers for the project, and the city of Albuquerque has also asked for $10 million. The MRGHC was set up to create public-private partnerships that spur affordable housing projects by giving developers access to tax exemptions. It seeks to leverage county and city funds, property, and administrative resources to fast track approvals for such projects.
Baca said a key piece of the puzzle is the Middle Rio Grande Housing Collaborative (MRGHC), an alliance with the city of Albuquerque which launched last year. The county has issued a $10 million capital outlay request to lawmakers for the project, and the city of Albuquerque has also asked for $10 million. The MRGHC was set up to create public-private partnerships that spur affordable housing projects by giving developers access to tax exemptions. It seeks to leverage county and city funds, property, and administrative resources to fast track approvals for such projects.
“We have a very strong partnership between the city and county and have approved resolutions that we’ll work together on housing,” Baca said.
The commissioners are also endorsing $500 million in funding requests for the New Mexico Mortgage Finance Authority (NMMFA) – $250 million for its trust fund and $250 million for its opportunity enterprise fund. The money would fund affordable housing projects, including the development of low income multifamily housing, down payment assistance for low and middle income households, and home rehabilitation and weatherization programs.
One caveat to the NMMFA funding endorsement, Baca said, is that the MRGHC wants lawmakers to approve a 10% set-aside for local governments across the state on the $500 million. If approved, she said it means $50 million would be directed to those working on affordable housing projects more quickly and efficiently.
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s recently released budget request to lawmakers includes the $500 million NMMFA funding request, and another $40 million to launch a statewide homelessness initiative, which county leaders also support.
Behavioral health, drugs, crime
The county also wants lawmakers to incentivize people to take careers in behavioral health, including licensed social workers, crisis clinicians and peer support workers. The county instituted a behavioral health tax in 2015, and while some have questioned how effectively the funds have been used since, Baca and other commissioners say it’s an important component that the commission is working to improve.
“Behavioral health has long been significant for the county and we continue to make headway but are in desperate need of more trained personnel in the key areas of recovery and treatment,” commission vice chair Adriann Barboa, said in a statement.
In addition, the county would like to see $3 million in funding for statewide fentanyl education and awareness – which includes the county’s fentanyl-focused Keep NM Alive website. It also supports legislation that would direct a portion of the state’s liquor excise tax toward addiction treatment, behavioral health initiatives and law enforcement. Leaders also support an expansion of Medicaid so more New Mexicans have access to medical and behavioral health resources.
Baca added that crime and public safety continues to be a concern of the county and its constituents. The commission has asked lawmakers for $750,000 in recurring funds for the maintenance and operation of the Bernalillo County Sheriff Office’s (BCSO) multi-mission helicopter, which serves jurisdictions statewide in emergency situations.
I would like to see the people who are getting these homes have to take classes to better themselves and get jobs to support themselves and their families.
A lot of people who are unhoused do have jobs but still can’t afford rent. It could happen to any of us.
Thank you for paying attention to our homeless problem in Alb. We need more news about our homeless population with a focus on solutions.