RIO RANCHO, N.M.—The City of Rio Rancho is pursuing an Affordable Housing Study aimed at developing a roadmap that guides actions to improve the availability, affordability, and quality of housing within the City.

“If Rio Rancho is to transition from, historically, a bedroom community with more and more job opportunities of all types, then a diversity of housing options and price points must and should be available,” said Mayor Gregg Hull. “I believe a comprehensive study will verify our need and provide valuable information for the Governing Body and Planning and Zoning Board to take into consideration and use when making land use decisions.”

The study is in its beginning phases and the next steps include seeking public input and hosting public meetings. City of Rio Rancho residents, business owners, and anyone who works in Rio Rancho are eligible to offer their input by completing our online survey that is featured on the City Website at www.rrnm.gov/ahs. The survey is open from June 23, 2022 to July 25, 2022. Printed copies are available at the Meadowlark Senior Center, the Broadmoor Senior Center, the Loma Colorado Main Library, and Esther Bone Memorial Library. Additionally, information about public meetings, where members of the public learn more about the planning process, ask questions, and provide input on the plan, is forthcoming.

About the Study

As part of Mayor Hull’s FY 2022 budget response, $75,000 was recommended to be allocated for an Affordable Housing Study. The Study was ultimately approved by the Governing Body as part of FY 22 budget adoption (May and July 2021). As a result, City of Rio Rancho staff, through an RFP process, began working with the National Development Council (NDC) in order to collect information about the community and develop a study to be presented to the Governing Body for potential future planning and development.

About NDC

For over 50 years, NDC has worked with local and state governments to help create and implement unique economic and community development strategies. NDC has developed programs and services that reflect the changing policy environment. NDC provides technical assistance, professional training, small-business lending, debt and equity financing for residential, commercial, public, and nonprofit facilities.

For information about Rio Rancho municipal government, visit www.rrnm.gov. Follow city government on Twitter (twitter.com/RioRanchoNM) and Facebook (facebook.com/RioRanchoGov).

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