Santo Domingo Pueblo housing assessment
Santo Domingo Tribal Housing Authority
Santo Domingo Pueblo (also known as Kewa Pueblo) is located between Albuquerque and Santa Fe in New Mexico and has been the homelands to many people for thousands of years. The Kewa Pueblo provides a variety of programs for the well-being of the Kewa people, including community health, education, housing, and family and senior services.
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In collaboration with Santo Domingo Tribal Housing Authority and a locally defined advisory council, we conducted a comprehensive survey and a series of community feedback sessions to gain deeper insights into the housing needs and strengths of Santo Domingo Pueblo, as well as the intricate connections between housing, economics, and transportation. Notably, a significant portion of the Santo Domingo Pueblo population speaks Keres, an isolate language spoken among the people of seven pueblos in New Mexico. We worked diligently with interpreters to translate the community survey and related materials for community members.
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Strengthen community conversations around housing and homelessness.
Better understand residents’ housing desires and preferences.
Provide the data needed to bring in new housing resources.
Solidify current housing partners and build new partnerships.
Allow Santo Domingo Pueblo to advocate for community housing needs.
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This report offers a critical roadmap for addressing pressing housing needs, promoting long-term sustainability, and enhancing the quality of life for the pueblo. Recommendations include expanding housing stock to reduce overcrowding, launching home rehabilitation programs, developing specialized housing for vulnerable populations, and leveraging local workforce opportunities to drive housing development.
Using the results of the study as a guide, Santo Domingo Tribal Housing Authority is currently installing 10 modular homes in the Cottonwood Development, as well as developing land for a mobile park.
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Nov 2023–Jan 2025
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Max Van Oostenburg — Project co-lead, secondary data collection and analysis, interview and survey tool design and data collection, qualitative analysis, and report writing
Michael Brydge — Project co-lead, interview and survey data collection, and report writing
Jodi Wolfe — Graphic and layout design, creative direction, and data visualization
“[Sweet Grass was] very open to learn about our traditions and to keep them in mind while working with us and our community. They were also very friendly and kind. The quality of work that they produced from the survey questions, the survey, and the final product were all amazing.” —Lorrie Chavez, Santo Domingo Tribal Housing Authority
