Los Alamos struggles with a housing shortage as LANL’s workforce expansion continues amid limited land availability.
At a Glance
- Los Alamos faces a housing shortage due to LANL hiring and limited land.
- Efforts focus on “infill” development and zoning changes.
- Federal and local programs aim to offer affordable housing.
- A phased strategy aims to build 1,300–2,400 housing units over five years.
The Housing Crisis in Los Alamos
Los Alamos, New Mexico, grapples with a housing crisis driven by the growing workforce at the Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), which now employs over 19,000 people. The town has seen little expansion in housing options, causing a steep rise in home prices and rents. According to local officials, the main challenge is the scarcity of undeveloped “greenfield” land, which stymies new construction efforts.
To combat the issue, Los Alamos County has turned to “infill” development, which aims to increase housing density in already developed areas. The county has made zoning changes to support higher-density housing, simultaneously reducing parking requirements to promote these developments. Yet, the need for medium-density or “missing middle” housing remains acute, especially for those earning below the area’s median income.
Efforts for Affordable Housing
A variety of federal and local programs have been initiated to address the affordability gap and provide housing solutions. However, programs like Section 8 vouchers and Low Income Housing Tax Credit developments show limitations in serving lower-income households. Additionally, existing local assistance programs for home buying and rehabilitation have been underutilized, and the county’s current policies do not favor inclusionary zoning or rent control.
Los Alamos County’s broader strategy includes an update to its Affordable Housing Plan and ordinance. The updated plan intends to unlock state and federal funding to support housing projects, with the ambitious goal of constructing 1,300–2,400 new housing units over the next five years. Achieving this goal demands a minimum of 150 new housing permits annually, targeting an increase to 250, of which at least 10% must be affordable.
A Collaborative Path Forward
To implement these plans, a phased strategy calls for collaboration with multiple partners, including the public and private sectors, leveraging tax credits, grants, and public-private partnerships. By analyzing case studies from other communities, Los Alamos hopes to glean insights that could translate into successful housing projects that meet its unique needs.
As the LANL workforce continues to grow—now standing at over 15,000 and projected to rise further—Los Alamos grapples with a pressing need to attract and retain essential workers across various sectors. Finding sustainable housing solutions remains imperative to reducing long commutes, enhancing quality of life, and sustaining the local economy.
Sources:
- https://losalamosreporter.com/2023/06/27/its-a-crisis-housing-and-the-community-development-department/
- https://www.losalamosnm.us/News-articles/A-Path-Forward-for-Affordable-Housing-in-Los-Alamos
- https://losalamosreporter.com/2022/12/19/its-housing-driven-lanl-hiring-and-local-housing/
- https://ladailypost.com/osborn-a-path-forward-for-affordable-housing-in-los-alamos/
- https://www.theepochtimes.com/article/new-mexicos-nuclear-town-has-big-housing-problem-5730461
- https://cdn.lanl.gov/files/2024-housing-demand-and-demographics_0504a.pdf
- https://ladailypost.com/stradling-housing-for-los-alamos-workers-for-a-healthy-county-economy/
- https://ww2.aip.org/fyi/nuclear-security-lab-directors-spotlight-workforce-and-infrastructure-needs
- https://www.boomtownlosalamos.org/p/having-a-boom-without-the-housing
- https://discover.lanl.gov/publications/national-security-science/2022-winter/diversity-makes-us-stronger/
