It's Not Your Grandpa's ABQ; Housing Crunch Continues To Gobble Up Big Bucks As Keller Casita Plan Nears Action, Plus: Guv's Honeymoon With Voters May Be Waning But She Has A Backup

A lot of ABQ old timers can't seem to grasp how much their beloved city has changed when it comes to housing affordability and the number of homeless. That's why they were probably taken aback again this week when the New Mexico Mortgage Finance Authority announced approval of $53 million in federal tax credits for five affordable housing projects in Bernalillo, Sandoval and Dona Ana Counties. What grabbed the old timers by the collar is that the money will got toward the construction of only 281 affordable rental units. 

But in this new era of inflation, supply and building issues, that's what it costs. A bean counter at the Legislative Finance Committee adds:

“Poverty rates are high, labor participation is low. There is high substance abuse rates,” Kathleen Gygi, a program evaluator, told the legislative panel. “These are all things that compound the problems.” 

The city of ABQ is spending over $60 million a year on housing and needs associated with the homeless. Sounds like a lot but the nation has let the housing and homeless crisis fester. Getting folks housed is going to be a demanding budget item for years to come. Why? Because this is not your grandpa's Albuquerque. 

Along those lines we anticipate next Monday's ABQ City Council meeting where that proposal from Mayor Keller to permit casitas to be built on the site of single family homes may get action. Sure, it needs to be planned carefully but it needs to be done, and the casitas can be built without taxpayer support. 

It's a potential solution to the affordable housing dilemma for thousands of ABQ families now and in the future.

APD REACT

APD Chief Harold Medina did not tackle the specific concerns of ABQ attorney and former APD officer Tom Grover over the possible lifting of a Department of Justice consent decree that has been in effect for nearly nine years. But the Chief did have this reaction to Grover's analysis on the Wednesday blog: 

I would hope a former APD officer would support the work of today’s officers. They are putting in the work and the DOJ recognizes their accomplishments. Different department today.

HATE REPUBLICANS? 

It's not easy being a Republican around these parts. Shut out of all major offices and with dim prospects for the future, some conservatives are beyond frustrated, like this anonymous GOP reader reacting to the lack of a 2024 Republican challenger for Dem US Sen. Martin Heinrich: 

Joe, folks on the far-left have complete ownership of the state. Any R running statewide is simply looking up a dead mule's ass. Even at local level normal candidates can win only in the southeast corner. Santa Fe County votes 75% Dem every election. How many Rs do you think work for the city, the county or the state? We know how they'll vote. Voters in ABQ or Cruces mostly depend on government for groceries so it seems we're a one-party state forever. The philosophy is hate Republicans. 

With the party not reinventing itself ideologically to broaden its appeal, history says the best bet for a GOP bounce is a major Dem scandal. But the hole they have dug for themselves is what former Gov. Bruce King might have described as "mighty, mighty deep." 

HONEYMOONERS

As her second term takes hold, MLG's honeymoon with voters may be wearing a bit thin but she has a backup plan:

Gov. Lujan Grisham is traveling to the U.S. Virgin Islands for a personal vacation with the First Gentleman to celebrate their honeymoon and first wedding anniversary. She is expected to return on June 16. Lt. Gov. Howie Morales will assume the role of the governor during her time out-of-state.

If the highly caffeinated chief executive really wants to slow down for a while she picked the right place:. 

St. Thomas, St. Croix and St. John welcome the most visitors to their shores. An infinite number of pristine bays, coves, inlets and beaches can be made your own even if downtown is crowded. History, natural beauty and plenty of culture are on display, and the duty-free shopping is world famous. 

As for Howie, he will be Governor for his longest stretch yet--over two weeks. That's plenty of time to get into mischief, not that we would ever want that to happen. 

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(c)NM POLITICS WITH JOE MONAHAN 2023