Santa Fe presents micro‑community pilot results and plans to expand transitional housing options

City of Santa Fe officials on the evening of the community dialogue presented data showing a persistent shortfall in shelter capacity and promoted micro communities—small, noncongregate transitional housing—as a proven way to move people off the streets.

The city’s director of community health and safety, Henry Hemmepault, said Santa Fe’s by‑name list includes about 400 people and the city has roughly 280 shelter beds, leaving “about a deficit of a 120 beds.” Hemmepault said the city’s October 2024 Homelessness Action Plan organizes responses into six areas, including noncongregate shelter, outreach, day services and better data and coordination. “Put very simply, micro communities work,” he said.

The nut graf: City staff and providers described one pilot micro community, Arroyo Chamizo, and presented data the city says show strong short‑term housing outcomes, while also outlining new land‑use standards, increased homelessness staffing and neighborhood engagement measures intended to address community concerns.

Officials and service providers gave details about the pilot and next steps. Lifelink, which operates…