Albuquerque City Council Unanimously Approves Ordinance to Streamline Affordable and Transitional Housing Development

The Albuquerque City Council has taken another significant step to address the city’s housing crisis by unanimously passing O-25-95 last night. The ordinance is aimed at simplifying and streamlining the process for affordable and transitional housing development projects.

The bill, sponsored by City Councilors Joaquín Baca (District 2) and Nichole L. Rogers (District 6), amends the city’s Public Purchases Ordinance to reduce administrative barriers and accelerate the delivery of much-needed housing.

O-25-95 is designed to directly address Albuquerque's ongoing housing challenges, including a shortage of affordable units and transitional housing. By reforming procurement procedures, the ordinance simplifies how housing developments are permitted and funded, allowing developers, including nonprofits and public agencies, to navigate city processes more quickly.

“The housing crisis in Albuquerque requires a coordinated approach,” said Councilor Baca. “The Council is committed to finding ways to make affordable housing and transitional housing development more accessible, and the process more efficient. This change will allow more developers and decrease the time it takes to invest housing funds allocated by the state.”

The new ordinance builds on a series of recent housing reforms, including measures passed in February 2025 to encourage multifamily development near transit corridors and reduce downtown vacancies. This latest bill is a strategic move to not only reshape zoning policy but also to align procedural rules with the city’s housing goals.

“I am honored to see Council vote unanimously, with little discussion, to give our Administration the tools they need to deliver for the thousands in Albuquerque who need housing now,” said Councilor Rogers. “We will monitor closely how the city enacts the changes and whether they tangibly reduce delays or barriers in housing development.”

The passage of this ordinance is a direct response to a review of city processes, proposing several amendments to simplify and streamline the steps necessary to meet state deadlines.

The amendments to the Public Purchases Ordinance make three key changes:

• Request for Qualifications (RFQ): A new RFQ procurement method is introduced, allowing the city to quickly evaluate vendor experience and move directly into contract negotiations with the most qualified candidate.
• New Exemption from Competition: A new exemption from competition is created for projects that use state-appropriated capital outlay or general appropriation funds for affordable and transitional housing. A transparent process will be required to ensure fair and equitable treatment of all participants.
• Council Approval: The bill clarifies that Council approval is required for any procurement under the new exemption that exceeds $100,000.

In addition to these procurement changes, the bill directs the City Department of Health, Housing and Homelessness (HHH) and the Department of Municipal Development (DMD) to review and amend their existing policies to further improve their processes for these projects. Both departments are required to complete this review and provide an update within 30 days of the ordinance's enactment.