Housing New Mexico outlines pipeline, affordability gaps and programs for Santa Fe

Housing New Mexico presented data and program options to the City of Santa Fe Quality of Life Committee about local housing need and programmatic tools on file with the city. Robin Powell, senior director of policy and planning at Housing New Mexico, told the committee that Santa Fe’s population grew faster than the state between 2017 and 2022 and that the city faces a “very difficult” affordability picture. Powell said roughly 40% of housing vacancy in Santa Fe is attributable to seasonal or occasional use, higher than the statewide average she cited, and that nearly 60% of renters earning under $50,000 are cost‑burdened, meaning they pay more than 30% of income for housing.

Powell said only about 8.6% of renters in Santa Fe can afford to buy the median‑priced home in the city, which she described as “nearly $600,000.” She contrasted that with a lower statewide median home price. Powell also described a rental development pipeline she said includes more than…