SANTA FE PROGRESS REPORT

The Santa Fe Housing Action Coalition (SFHAC) is a broadbased community coalition dedicated to expanding the accessibility and affordability of quality housing options throughout Santa Fe through long-term systemic change that benefits all residents. The coalition has come together to address the many issues currently impeding the affordability of housing for all who want to live in Santa Fe. It is building an education, community engagement and advocacy infrastructure to leverage the voices and stories of individuals, businesses and institutions to build political power for policy changes that support greater housing affordability and access for all residents.

Accomplishments since the inception of SFHAC in February 2018: • Creation of a broad, community-based coalition from 19 organizations in multiple sectors to form a steering committee that meets monthly

• Creation of four working committees that meet regularly: Community Engagement, Fund-raising, Policy and Business Engagement (co-chaired by Meow Wolf and PNM)

• Financial investment ($50,000 to date) by several steering committee members and local businesses

• Steering committee approval of shared values and an initial policy agenda

• Public launch of SFHAC, with a website, social media channels and an email list, and with ongoing print and broadcast press coverage of the coalition

• Publication of four op-eds about housing by members of the coalition steering committee

• Support of hundreds of followers via social media and email • Completion of the Mayor’s Affordable Housing & Livable Neighborhoods Advisory Group report, which several SFHAC members participated in crafting

• Strong turnout at the city council meeting to support the release of

the Mayor’s Affordable Housing & Livable Neighborhoods Advisory Committee report

• Close working relationships with city and county staff

• Regular meetings about the housing crisis with the mayor, city councilors and other community leaders to discuss causes and a citywide solution that will result in more housing units in every district

• Drafting of new policy guidance for an improved accessory dwelling unit (casita) ordinance to help grow the number of available units for long-term rentals, densify areas with existing infrastructure and create wealth-building opportunities for local residents

• Participation in SFUAD redevelopment planning and guidelines, including advocacy for affordable housing and purchase of adjoining lots

• Support for housing projects already in the approval pipeline • Creation of a Santa Fe workforce survey, which received 2,000 responses

• Hosting of a successful event to highlight connections between health and housing, with participation from CHRISTUS St. Vincent, Presbyterian Medical Services, La Familia Medical Center, Santa Fe County, PNM, Meow Wolf and the Santa Fe Association of Realtors • Receipt of initial Collaborative Zone Grant money from the Santa Fe Community Foundation, McCune Charitable Foundation and Nusenda Credit Union to address affordable housing issues

The coalition steering committee currently includes the following organizations:

• CHRISTUS St. Vincent

• Friends of Architecture Santa Fe

• The Life Link

• New Mexico Coalition to End Homelessness • New Mexico Communities in Schools

• New Mexico Interfaith Housing Corporation • Presbyterian Medical Services

• Santa Fe Area Homebuilders Association • Santa Fe Art Institute

• Santa Fe Association of Realtors

• Santa Fe Chamber of Commerce

• Santa Fe Civic Housing Authority

• Santa Fe Community College

• Santa Fe Community Foundation

• Santa Fe Habitat for Humanity

• Santa Fe Housing Trust

• Santa Fe Public Schools

• St. Elizabeth’s Shelters and Supportive Housing • YouthWorks

Join us by signing up at santafehousingaction.org. You can support our work with a donation. Make checks out to Santa Fe Community Foundation, with “Santa Fe Housing Action Coalition” in the memo line, or visit the foundation’s website at santafecf.org/ give-now. Under “Fund Search,” select “Santa Fe Housing Action Coalition.” All donations are tax deductible.

Nurses walk past a family waiting room at Presbyterian Santa Fe Medical Center. Work by a local artist adorns the wall.

CHRISTUS St. Vincent Emergency Room