CITY OF ALBUQUERQUE
TWENTY SIXTH COUNCIL
COUNCIL BILL NO. M-25-7 ENACTMENT NO. ________________________
SPONSORED BY: Joaquín Baca, Nichole Rogers
MEMORIAL
title
Declaring Support For Proposed State Legislation Regarding Transparency Of Local Planning Review Processes Affecting The Creation Of New Housing (Housing Transparency Bill) (Baca, Rogers)
body
DECLARING SUPPORT FOR PROPOSED STATE LEGISLATION REGARDING TRANSPARENCY OF LOCAL PLANNING REVIEW PROCESSES AFFECTING THE CREATION OF NEW HOUSING (HOUSING TRANSPARENCY BILL).
WHEREAS, per the City’s Housing Needs Assessment, “According to 2022 data, there is an estimated shortage of 21,969 units affordable for households with income at 30% AMI or below in the region. Between 2010 and 2022 the shortage of units for households under 30% AMI has increased by 2,083 units in the region”; and
WHEREAS, per the City’s Housing Needs Assessment, “HOMELESSNESS: In addition to the gap in rental affordability for households earning less than 30% AMI, in 2023, the New Mexico Coalition to End Homelessness reported 2,394 homeless individuals in Albuquerque’s point-in-time (PIT) count. McKinney Vento Act data for the academic year 2022-2023 shows 3,829 homeless children and youth in the region's public school districts, a higher estimate than the PIT count. This highlights the need for additional housing units and housing support targeted to families”; and
WHEREAS, according to PEW Charitable Trusts, “One of the most significant constraints on supply is lengthy and unpredictable zoning, entitlement, and permitting processes, which create uncertainty and financing challenges, drive up project costs and lead to construction delays or canceled projects”; and
WHEREAS, the Housing Transparency Bill would require Class A counties and the State’s ten largest municipalities (populations over 30,000) to report five key data points quarterly, posting them on their websites and submitting them to the Legislative Finance Committee and Economic Development Department; and
WHEREAS, the municipality’s reports would require the following:
• Development Plan applications
• Development plan approvals and denials
• Development plan processing time
• Total residential building permits
• Building permit processing time; and
WHEREAS, the Housing Transparency Bill is a simple reform: it doesn’t change zoning, it doesn’t mandate approvals, it simply requires basic reporting. By shining a light on where the process slows down, we can make smarter decisions, speed up housing delivery, and make homes more affordable for New Mexico families.
BE IT MEMORIALIZED BY THE COUNCIL, THE GOVERNING BODY OF THE CITY OF ALBUQUERQUE:
SECTION 1. The Albuquerque City Council expresses its strong support for the Housing Transparency Bill during the upcoming 30-day legislative session.
SECTION 2. The Albuquerque City Council urges the Governor of New Mexico and the New Mexico Legislature to support the Housing Transparency Bill.
SECTION 3. The City Clerk is directed to transmit copies of this Memorial to the City of Albuquerque lobbyist, the City of Albuquerque State Legislative Delegation, the Governor of New Mexico, and the New Mexico Legislature. The City Clerk shall forward a copy of the transmittals to the City Council President and Council Services Director.
X:\CL\SHARE\CL-Staff\_Legislative Staff\Legislation\27 Council\M-7final.docx