Bernalillo County Commissioners have had housing on their minds for a while, and they took another step Tuesday evening toward resolving an issue they say is of critical importance.
The board passed a resolution directing County Manager Cindy Chavez to research what funding sources, staffing and professional services would be needed to create a “housing development services” division.
As envisioned by Commissioner Barbara Baca, who proposed the resolution, the division would report directly to the county manager and oversee various aspects of affordable housing in Bernalillo County.
“We know there is a homeless crisis and an affordable housing crisis within our communities,” Baca said.
Housing New Mexico, formerly the New Mexico Mortgage Authority, predicts the county will need 28,000 additional housing units by 2035 to meet its demand, including 4,900 units of affordable housing.
Citing research by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Baca said target monthly housing costs should be $1,468 or lower. That figure would allow a household earning 30% less than the median income for the area to secure housing while spending less than 30% of its monthly income.
Baca noted other steps the county has recently taken, including partnering with the City of Albuquerque to identify possible opportunities for housing developments. The two governments are asking the New Mexico Legislature and Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham for a $100 million dollar appropriation for those projects and are also supporting a Housing New Mexico request for $500 million, which would go toward addressing the housing shortage statewide.
Of the $500 million, 10% to 20% would be earmarked for local governments’ affordable housing efforts.
According to the resolution, the county’s intention is to work with existing residents and the public, private and not-for-profit sectors to build affordable and mixed-rate, “intentional communities” that accommodate residents of all ages and abilities.
Baca said the resolution is in response to questions from Gov. Lujan Grisham and state legislators about how to address the housing crisis immediately and with accountability.
“It is vital we have a plan and personnel in place to begin immediately to address the housing shortage on all levels including funding avenues, new construction, land availability and rehabilitation of existing structures,” Baca said.
Chavez said additional resources and staff will better position the county to move efficiently and rapidly as projects emerge. She is due to give the commission a progress report at the Feb. 25 meeting.