GHA conducts survey collecting peoples’ housing needs, barriers
By Molly Ann Howell
Managing Editor
It’s been over three years since the Gallup City Council declared a housing emergency.
In May 2022, councilors passed an ordinance announcing a housing emergency.
Now, the Gallup Housing Authority is taking a step towards fixing the problem by conducting a survey asking people what they want in a house, and what prevents them from buying a house.
GHA presented the survey’s findings to the Gallup City Council during their Aug. 26 meeting with help from Brittany Babycos. Babycos founded BRC Research Management, LLC, which helps organizations gather data.
Babycos and GHA surveyed 367 people. Of that number, 45% are homeowners and 55% didn’t own a home.
Ninety-four percent of the respondents are working families, while the other 6% are either retired, in school, or unemployed at the moment.
A majority of the people surveyed said they are interested in buying a home in the Gallup area in the next three to five years.
Fifty percent of the respondents said they want to buy a single-family home.
According to the survey, many respondents prioritized proximity to work, schools, and amenities, while others emphasized “quiet neighborhoods away from heavy traffic” and areas perceived as safer.
Respondents most often mentioned Mentmore, Crestview, areas near Red Rock, and neighborhoods by Gallup High as desirable, largely for larger lots, quieter streets, and a family-friendly feel.
When it came down to home features, three-bedroom homes were the most sought-after, followed by two-bedroom options. Two bathrooms was the most frequently desired configuration, with many citing “enough for family and guests” as a reason. Households with larger families or multi-generational living situations often preferred four bedrooms.
Buyers also expressed a strong interest in features that make daily living more functional and
enjoyable — such as garages, outdoor space, storage, and energy-efficient systems — even if
those features were not formally listed in the survey.
Several respondents noted that “a good layout matters more than square footage,” reflecting a desire for practical, well-designed spaces rather than simply larger homes.
When the survey mentioned accessibility features, most respondents said they didn’t have an immediate need. However, among the 104 who did, common priorities included step-free entryways, wide doors, accessible bathrooms, and single-level floor plans. Free responses often tied these needs to “planning for aging in place” or accommodating family members with mobility issues.
Babyco, who administered the survey, said that the city needs to consider “building for the long-term” when constructing houses.
“So when people are aging in their house they’re not having to climb up stairs or go through narrow hallways and things like that,” she said.
So Gallupians obviously know what they want in a home.
But what’s preventing them from buying a house?
It’s the down payments.
GHA’s Executive Director Richard Kontz weighed in at the meeting about why it’s challenging for new homeowners to buy houses. He explained that the average renter pays about $1,000 – $1,200 a month for rent in Gallup.
So someone who is currently renting could easily pay a mortgage if it was around that amount.
But a down payment on a $215,000 house is about $40,000. Sixty-one percent of the people surveyed said they didn’t have money for a down payment.
Kontz said he currently has three potential homebuyers lined up, and the houses they would purchase are ready to go. Yet the only thing stopping them is the lack of a down payment.
Upon hearing this feedback, councilors said during their Aug. 26 meeting that they need to explore options when it comes down to formulating a downpayment assistance program.
But Kontz said he has funds at the ready.
Last year, GHA received a $3 million state grant to build five houses in the Gallup area. The housing authority built eight homes, and had over $325,000 in funds left over.
Kontz decided he would give the leftover money to the City of Gallup, so they could use it for a down payment assistance program.
In an interview with the Sun, he said thathe drafted up the documents describing what the trust fund would look like. Now all the city has to do is sign on the dotted line.
Meanwhile, city staff will need to draft up the paperwork and present it to the councilors for their approval.
