Facts About Inequity in Santa Fe

Data presented below is extracted from HIA: Development without Risk of Displacement, a report done for Chainbreaker. Click here to obtain the HIA report. This summary reflects in one-page the degree to which Santa Fe is segregated economically and racially. It also presents how this lack of equity impacts many Santa Feans, primarily low-income, people of color.

1. Santa Fe median annual household income is $60K in the Downtown area, $54K around Canyon Road, and just $21K in Hopewell-Mann (bordered by Cerrillos Rd., St. Francis, and St. Michael’s).
2. The Natl. Low-Income Housing Coalition estimates (2014) a $15.46 hourly wage ($32K annual) to rent a 1-bedroom apartment in Santa Fe, and a wage of $18.33 ($38K) for a 2-bedroom.
3. According to Santa Fe’s 2013 Housing Needs Assessment Update, the proportion of renters who earn less than 50% of the Area Median Income has increased substantially, from 36% to 54%.
4. A 2012 survey found that only 38% of people who work in Santa Fe live in the city, down from 51% in 2002; 72% said they moved due to housing being too expensive.
5. Parks as an example of inequity: Downtown has more than 19 acres of parks per  1,000 residents, Canyon Road has 7 acres, and Hopewell-Mann less than 1/3 acre per 1,000 residents. The Natl. Recreation and Park Association suggests a standard of 10 acres per 1,000 residents.
6. Transportation inequity: Most employment in Santa Fe is in the downtown areas. When economic reasons force people to move far from their place of work, this locks them into car dependence, exacerbating a cycle of poverty and environmental damage. Note in the map at left the degree to which Latinos have been forced to the west and south of the city, areas where public transportation is sparse, slow and requires walking.  Many who rely on buses in Santa Fe have to walk 15 minutes or more to a bus stop, have a 1-hour wait for a bus, and no access to public transit in the evenings.

If this situation disturbs you, find out how you can get involved to address the situation by clicking here. If you want to read more about the campaign for Equity Summer, click here.

In the video below, Chainbreaker’s Tomas Rivera describes the scope of economic and racial injustice in Santa Fe and the degree to which the city is divided in racial and economic terms. It is a very illuminating video with maps and charts depicting the situation clearly.