About Housing Now
Making It Easier to Build Housing at Every Level to Meet Community Needs
Housing: A Key to Ending Homelessness and Growing Our Economy Albuquerque’s housing shortage isn’t just a housing issue - it’s a public health issue, an economic challenge, and a driver of homelessness.
That’s why Housing Now ABQ centers housing as critical infrastructure. The more homes we build—at all price points—the more we reduce the pressures that lead to housing instability, displacement, and homelessness. When we build more homes: We help families stay housed, safe, and stable. We grow our economy and attract new jobs. We strengthen communities with inclusive, connected neighborhoods.
What is Housing Now?
From young adults starting out, to families building a life, to seniors aging in place—Albuquerque needs more housing for all walks of life. But right now, too many people can’t find housing they can afford in the neighborhoods they love.
That’s why the City of Albuquerque is taking bold action through Housing Now ABQ—an ambitious initiative to modernize outdated rules, unlock new housing types, and make it easier to build the homes our community needs.
Pillars of Housing Now
Housing Now campaign introduces a range of strategies. Learn more about what we are doing below.
Patch Program Research Casitas Zoning updates Upcoming Projects 1st Step Safe Outdoor Spaces
What is Considered Affordable?
2025 Adjusted Income Limits by Household Size (HUD)
|
% AREA MEDIAN INCOME |
1 Person Household |
2 Person Household |
3 Person Household |
4 Person Household |
5 Person Household |
6 Person Household |
7 Person Household |
8 Person Household |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
30% AMI |
19,200 |
21,950 |
24,700 |
27,400 |
29,600 |
31,800 |
34,000 |
36,200 |
|
50% AMI |
32,000 |
36,600 |
41,150 |
45,700 |
49,400 |
53,050 |
56,700 |
60,350 |
|
60% AMI |
38,400 |
43,920 |
49,380 |
54,840 |
59,280 |
63,660 |
68,040 |
72,420 |
|
80% AMI |
51,200 |
58,500 |
65,800 |
73,100 |
78,950 |
84,800 |
90,650 |
96,500 |
|
AREA MEDIAN INCOME |
64,000 |
73,200 |
82,300 |
91,400 |
98,800 |
106,100 |
113,400 |
120,700 |
The Challenge
Albuquerque is experiencing a severe housing shortage. For years, we didn’t build enough new housing to keep up with population growth, and today, we’re feeling the impact.
- Nearly 50% of renters in Albuquerque are cost-burdened, spending more than 30% of their income on rent (source: U.S. Census ACS, 2023).
- The median home price in 2025 is $365,000, up 15% since 2022. (Latest numbers from Realtor.com)
- Rents have increased over 4% year-over-year, with a median of $1,273 for a 2-bedroom apartment (source: Apartment List, Jan. 2025).
This shortage affects everyone—from first-time buyers to long-time renters—and it's fueling homelessness, housing displacement, and economic strain.
Learn more about the connection between housing and economic development.
Housing Now is a bold, people-first initiative designed to alleviate Albuquerque’s housing crisis by reducing rents, preventing displacement, and increasing access to stable housing through innovative tools like the newly proposed PATCH Program.