Bernalillo County created a partnership with the Albuquerque Indian Center (AIC) located at Texas and Zuni in Southeast Albuquerque. The AIC has been providing services for over 25 years and their mission is “To empower the Albuquerque urban Native American Community and others through the provisions of wrap-around services designed to promote wellness, education, sustainability and tradition.” The Tiny Home Village is a transitional housing development for individuals experiencing homelessness to be developed on an existing vacant, blighted portion of the AIC property.

As part of our commitment to supportive housing efforts, Consensus Planning provided planning and entitlement services for the Tiny Homes Village. The Project Team included Baker Architecture + Design, Bernalillo County staff, and the AIC (property owner). The Village is designed to function as a cooperative community and includes 30 tiny homes; a communal kitchen, laundry, bathroom, showers, office, and meeting rooms; and outdoor community spaces. Consensus Planning worked with the Project Team and City Planning staff to develop a zoning strategy to allow the development of this unique transitional housing project.

The Tiny Home Village is the first project to utilize the “Cottage Development Housing” type permitted in the Integrated Development Ordinance. The strategy included a downzone from Mixed-use Low Intensity (MX-L) to Mixed-use Transition (MX-T) to allow for the continued operation of the Albuquerque Indian Center and the new development. Consensus Planning also successfully obtained a variance for additional fencing height needed to secure the site and assisted the architect with City staff coordination throughout the permitting process. The entitlement process involved extensive community outreach, education, and participation in community and neighborhood association meetings. The Tiny Homes Village project received strong community support.