Questa’s housing shortage impacts everyone. It means that Questa’s employers can’t fill their jobs, leading to service deficits in the community. It means that young people looking to move back to their hometown can’t find a place to raise their family. It means elders can’t downsize to a house that could better meet their needs. It means that housing prices are pushed up by the lack of supply. It means a less vibrant Questa.
In this challenging context, Questa Economic Development Fund has been collaborating with Taos Housing Partnership and other community stakeholders to create a plan for more housing in the greater Questa area. The groups have recently issued a report, “Questa Housing Affordability Strategies,” which outlines steps to increase housing affordability here. The report is based on interviews and feedback from community members.
The report will be presented on Tuesday, March 4 at 6:30 p.m. at Rael’s Coffee Shop. If you want to learn more and discuss housing in Questa further, join QEDF and THP for this community meeting, and enjoy complimentary desserts and coffee.
Some of the strategies proposed in this report, and endorsed by a steering committee of Questa community members, include:
Explore the feasibility of expanding a housing rehabilitation program in Questa
There was broad support among interviewees for expanding a housing rehabilitation program to ensure occupied homes are up to code and to rehab vacant homes, to increase housing availability. This could involve collaboration with the Questa Lodging Project, an existing program in the community.
Explore feasibility of helping landowners add homes or other dwellings to their existing land
Additional dwellings, or accessory dwelling units (ADUs), also known as casitas, can be a relatively low-impact way to increase the housing supply. At this time, ADUs are not allowed in the Village of Questa, so updates to the zoning code would be necessary.
Look at a new construction subdivision
A new subdivision would require studies and due diligence work first, but could serve to increase the housing supply. A new subdivision would likely be a mix of market rate and workforce housing.
You can visit Taos Housing Partnership’s website (taoshousingpartnership.org) to read the full report, including a list of interviewees, steering committee members, and a more thorough discussion of the strategies. A plan to implement these policies is currently underway.
For more information and to RSVP to the meeting, email Alexandra at alexandra@taoshousingpartnership.org.
