By Lora Lucero

The lesson for progressives, I think, in the recent battle over amendments to the zoning ordinance (called the Integrated Development Ordinance in Albuquerque) is that effective messaging is critical.

Following months of meetings and controversy, the City Council approved the amendments on a 5-4 vote on June 21st. The amendments allow casitas (aka granny units) to be built in the single-family R-1 zone which accounts for about 2/3 of sprawling Albuquerque. Although some who spoke in opposition claim the casitas will not help address the affordability issue in Albuquerque, studies clearly show that building more diverse types of housing stock and increasing the housing supply will benefit everyone, including renters and those on the streets.

The opposition to this change was largely represented by organized neighborhood associations. Those in favor were represented by a diverse group of legal aid and poverty organizations, planners, builders and architects, and me. I asked the Council members to remember the estimated 5,000 people sleeping on the street each night in Albuquerque as well as the thousands of Albuquerque residents living one month away from an eviction notice. They weren’t sitting in the Council Chambers but they’re every much a constituent as those who attend the meetings.

Another important piece of this housing puzzle is the Short-term Housing Rental Ordinance which will cap the number of AirBnb units that can be rented in the city; this will be heard on August 21.