Because the creation of affordable housing is both an urgent need and a high priority for Santa Fe, Mayor Webber requested approval of a Budget Adjustment by the Finance Committee at its meeting on Monday, March 22. The budget adjustment provides an additional $1.8 million to the Affordable Housing Trust Fund (AHTF) to bring the total funding for the fund to $3 million in the current fiscal year. The FY2022 budget will include a similar appropriation to sustain and support the purposes of the AHTF.
The Governing Body unanimously introduced a companion Resolution to establish a work plan that will ensure the long-term stability of the AHTF, amplify the connection between housing and social service benefits, and create a structure for the City to plan for growth and equitable development so that housing is available for all residents, regardless of income or type of housing needed.
The Resolution stipulates that the plan will incorporate other essential components of livability, equity, and sustainability, including infrastructure investment, utilities, social policy, environmental, economic, and other quality of life factors.
Mayor Webber credits local housing groups and Affordable Housing Director Alexandra Ladd for decades of advocacy and policy making that are now resulting in an improved forecast for Santa Fe.