Council moves forward with housing study

By ROB LARSON
Daily Press Staff Writer
The Artesia City Council voted to move forward with a study to analyze Artesia’s current housing situation at Tuesday’s meeting.
Michael Bunt, director of the Greater Artesia Economic Development Corporation (GAEDC), asked the council for $43,000 from GAEDC funds to complete a housing study of the city and to hire Jose Zelaya Architects for $8,000 to develop schematics for property located on the corner of First Street and Texas Avenue. The council approved both requests. … For the rest of the story, subscribe in print and on the web.
According to a memo sent by Bunt to the council, the purpose of the housing study, contracted to Mark Lautman and the Community Economic Lab, is to “define the existing housing situation in Artesia, the future needs, and suggested solutions based on findings.”
By analyzing Artesia’s current housing market, including new and existing housing, housing for different sized families, and for-sale and rental properties, the housing study will provide information on Artesia’s housing market to potential housing developers, analysis for financiers of residential housing, and allow the opportunity for the city to consider an affordable housing ordinance. Bunt plans on the housing study being completed in roughly 60 days.