ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – A pair of city councilors is looking to address Albuquerque’s housing crisis, by easing restrictions on housing developments in some parts of town.
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Councilor Joaquin Baca is pushing forward a proposal to fast-track housing projects along certain busy corridors, including on Centra Ave., and remove barriers to getting those projects underway. “This will now be the third time we try to get this across so that we can address the housing.
You know, it’s important that people will recognize that this really is for our families,” said District 2 City Councilor Joaquin Baca.
Councilor Joaquin Baca is hoping the third time’s a charm as he and Councilor Dan Lewis push forward a bill to simplify the process for developments that are meant to address the housing crisis. “Two versions of this didn’t pass or fail previously. And yet the problem persists, right? And so being able to help our families, help our unhoused issue, that’s a big thing. That’s an important part of our city. And so this is one more step, one more tool in the tool-kit, really, to help our city,” continued Councilor Baca.
The state’s most recent housing assessment report found there in Albuquerque population is up by 6.3%, yet housing hasn’t kept up. Statewide, there is also a backlog.
The bill aims to increase housing density along the ART route, as well as main street corridors like 4th Street and Broadway through zoning changes to allow more multi-family developments and new restrictions on how those projects can be appealed. “So what we’re seeing on the ground now is a tremendous lack of housing that’s causing prices to go up, homelessness to increase, and having those regional spillover effects that are affecting just the ability for people to find basic needs,” mentioned Jordan McConnell, Communications Chair at Strong Towns Albuquerque.
Housing advocates like Strong Towns Albuquerque believe that it will take citywide zoning reform to meet current and future housing goals and ensure sustainable growth, especially for the aging population. “We’re not taking on a huge financial burden for our city, but we’re getting benefits. You know, not just more places for people to live, but we’re increasing our tax base, and we’re making the communities more lively to be a part of there,” said William Indelicato, Civic Liaison at Strong Towns Albuquerque.
Under the proposed rules, neighborhood associations would have to collect signatures from a majority of nearby homeowners before they could appeal a project.
The proposal is expected to be discussed at city council on January 6.