The city of Albuquerque has announced that its Planning Department is now offering four distinct casita construction plan sets to the public, free of charge. Casitas, also known as Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs), are compact housing units equipped with a kitchen, usually built as detached accessory buildings on residential lots.

According to a press release by the city of Albuquerque, these newly released casita construction plans range from 450 to 750 square feet and adhere to current building codes and standards. This offers significant cost savings for those interested in adding a casita to their property. The city aims to promote the construction of 1,000 casitas by 2025. Recent zoning code changes, enacted in June as part of Mayor Keller's Housing Forward initiative, have facilitated casita construction in R-1 neighborhoods across the city. These changes respond to housing demand and accommodate growth while enhancing accessibility for homeowners. They provide a versatile housing option suitable for multigenerational families or those seeking rental income.

Varela stated in a press release by the city of Albuquerque: "If people choose to build using these construction plans it will save them the money that they would have been spent on design, and it will also save them time when they come in for a permit because we know that the plans will satisfy all building code requirements."

The Albuquerque Planning Department is dedicated to protecting the well-being of the Albuquerque community. Their mission focuses on enhancing residents' quality of life through transparent, organized, sustainable, and strategically located development. To fulfill this mission, according to information provided on their webpage by the city of Albuquerque, the department employs long-term growth strategies designed to conserve and protect the city's culture, heritage, natural and human resources, and essential assets. These strategies are implemented through community-driven land use approaches.