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Bernalillo County says it is ready to finalize housing projects, seeks state partnership
Summary
A Bernalillo County staff member told commissioners the county is aligned behind pursuing a range of housing projects — from transitional and affordable units to senior housing downtown — and urged cooperation with state lawmakers and the governor to fund programs such as a creditworthiness rental-assistance initiative.
A Bernalillo County staff member told the county commission the county is aligned behind developing “housing of all kinds, transitional, low income, moderate, affordable, market rate housing” and that officials are ready to finalize projects to get people housed.
The staff member framed the issue as an urgent community need: “We have too many individuals struggling for stability in our communities, and they need a safe place within which they can heal and launch a sustainable recovery pathway for themselves.”
County staff described several program priorities discussed at the meeting, including funding a creditworthiness program to help people who are blocked from renting because of prior evictions or poor credit. “We are also looking to fund projects like a creditworthiness program to help people who maybe don't qualify because of a issue with prior eviction or with a bad credit score to be able to rent apartments and homes that they otherwise would absolutely qualify for,” the staff member said.
Senior housing in the downtown area was raised as a priority. The staff member said officials want new development to include mixed-income areas so long-term renters can see a path to homeownership: “The key being that we make new development areas, mixed income areas, so that people who have been renting for decades finally see a potential to home ownership.”
County staff said the projects will require cooperation beyond the county level. “We can't do this alone. We need the partnership of our state lawmakers and the governor to make these projects a reality,” the staff member said, adding that such partnerships could help provide “real solutions for individuals and families in need.”
No formal votes or binding actions were recorded on these items in the transcript; the remarks describe program priorities and requests for intergovernmental partnership rather than adopted policies or approved budgets. The meeting did not specify funding amounts, timelines, or which state programs or agencies would be asked to partner on the initiatives.
