Part 3: "I'd like to Stay"

What the rental situation in Los Alamos is like for young people

First published in the Los Alamos Reporter in February 2023

Emma Womack was excited to work in Los Alamos. Womack, 23, is one of two young women in the machinist apprentice program at Los Alamos National Laboratory, and she loves her job. She’s also become attached to the town.

“I really love Los Alamos,” she said. “I love smaller towns, I love being on top of a mountain, and like there’s a trailhead every 20 feet. I really enjoy it here, but yeah.”

The “but yeah” comes with a sigh and refers to the housing situation in this town. Los Alamos County has roughly 19,000 residents but only 8,000 housing units — far short of its needs. The shortage, reflecting national trends, has driven up the median house price to more than $500,000 and has shrunk the supply of affordable rental units. The dearth of housing is only likely to grow worse as Los Alamos Laboratory hires thousands more workers, people like Emma.

There is nowhere for them to go.

“It was a shock”

I interviewed Emma and three other yo…