Los Alamos Housing Advocate Challenges $2,555 Benchmark
Los Alamos resident Kevin Holsapple has challenged the county’s apparent $2,555 monthly housing affordability benchmark for a single-person household, arguing that it fails workers earning $15 to $25 an hour. His proposal calls for exploring permanently affordable workforce housing through community land trusts.
The criticism comes amid discussions about Los Alamos housing policy and whether existing programmes adequately serve employees who keep local businesses, schools and essential services operating.
Housing Costs Exceed Workforce Budgets
In an October 29 letter published by the Los Alamos Reporter, Holsapple argued that the county’s apparent affordability figure is at least twice what many local service, healthcare and school workers can sustainably afford.
Holsapple linked the mismatch to difficulties staffing local businesses and retaining school employees. He also questioned whether public money should continue providing substantial subsidies to private developers instead of supporting housing arrangements designed to preserve affordability.
Community Land Trust Proposal
Holsapple suggested exploring a Community Land Trust framework that separates ownership of land from ownership of buildings. Such arrangements could maintain long-term affordability through restrictions on resale prices while limiting potential gains for participating homeowners.
His proposals also consider combining workforce housing with commercial infill development, potentially supporting local small businesses while addressing underused downtown properties.
County Council Housing Debate
Responding to County Council candidate statements about housing, Holsapple wrote that “our current housing approach isnβt working for our essential workforce.”
He presented his accompanying workbook as a concept for public discussion, rather than a fixed policy prescription or an adopted county programme.
Holsapple invited council candidates, county officials, business owners and residents to examine alternative housing approaches during the election season, placing affordability and downtown redevelopment at the centre of the discussion.
