Bernalillo County commissioners will vote Monday to accept millions in state legislative funding that could help address the county’s need for 28,000 additional housing units by 2035, potentially impacting thousands of residents struggling with housing costs.
The Bernalillo County Commission will consider authorizing County Manager Cindy Chavez to accept and budget funding awarded from the 2025 New Mexico Legislative Session for “Transitional and Affordable Housing Priority Projects” during their 5 p.m. administrative meeting at the Ken Sanchez Commission Chambers.
The funding stems from the state’s $110 million allocation specifically for “targeted housing development, including transitional housing, with a focus on Bernalillo and Doña Ana counties,” according to the 2025 General Appropriations Act. Bernalillo County had requested $100 million for its Middle Rio Grande Housing Collective, with Commissioner Adriann Barboa stating in December that “We have a list already, most of them just need that last bit of funding so we can get them done.”
The legislative funding comes as Bernalillo County faces an acute housing crisis. The county has prioritized 11 projects — seven transitional housing and four affordable housing developments — that aim to house 1,050 residents in need of short-term housing by 2026, according to a $98.2 million proposal submitted to state officials.
Other agenda items include recognition of South Valley Aquatic Center lifeguards for lifesaving efforts, approval of opioid settlement funding allocation and consideration of a $500,000 ordinance supporting Family Promise’s purchase of two triplexes for transitional housing purposes.
Get involved
The Bernalillo County Commission administrative meeting will be held Monday at 5 p.m. in the Ken Sanchez Commission Chambers at One Civic Plaza NW, Albuquerque. The meeting will be conducted in a hybrid format, allowing public participation either in-person or remotely via www.Bernco.gov/live or the county’s YouTube channel.