HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-12-18 - Public Comment - H. Wahlert (on behalf of the GGHAC) - Transitional & Emergency Housing Zone Text Amendment, 18011 February 12th, 2018
Bozeman City Commission
121 N. Rouse Avenue
Bozeman, Montana 59715
RE: Transitional& Emergency Housing Zone Text Amendment, 18011
Dear Mayor&City Commissioners:
As you know, the Greater Gallatin Homeless Action Coalition (GGHAC) is a community network of
concerned citizens and service providers working together to actively prevent and end homelessness in
the Greater Gallatin Area. Our network includes nonprofit homeless assistance providers, victim service
providers, faith-based organizations, governments, businesses, advocates, housing providers, mental
health agencies, hospitals, universities, affordable housing developers, law enforcement, organizations
that serve veterans as well as homeless and formerly homeless individuals.
We are writing to express our strong support for the Zone Text Amendment to add "Transitional and
Emergency Housing and Related Services" to the Unified Development Code (UDC). We also support
HRDC's proposed amendment (see letter dated 2/6/18) to allow facilities to have "beds" on the ground
floor in any of the included districts. As operators, volunteers, and users of these types of facilities, we
need to emphasize to you how important flexibility is especially when dealing with adaptive reuses and
increased accessibility needs. While small scale transitional housing can fit perfectly into an existing
neighborhood, a larger scale facility with significant services could be a great fit for an industrial or
commercial property. The definition and standards in the proposed ordinance are quite narrow and
require, among many other things, that all applicants are either a non-profit or government entity;
therefore, we do not foresee this type of use being abused or even used very frequently. Impacts to the
City's overall commercial or industrial land inventory will be negligible and the benefits to homelessness
will be substantial.
Everyone deserves a warm and safe place to sleep.Most people who are homeless want what most people
want: to support themselves, have jobs, have attractive and safe housing, be healthy, and help their
children do well in school.This amendment will help them to reach their goals and become contributing
citizens. Adding this land use classification will make Bozeman stand out as more than a desirable place
to live for outdoor pursuits and downtown charm-it will make Bozeman stand out as a community where
folks still help one another.
Thank you very much for your time.
Sincerely,
Hannah Wahlert Steven Weaver
Coordinator of GGHAC Co-Coordinator of GGHAC
I
Members of the Greater Gallatin Homeless Action Coalition include:
Kevin Thane, Family Promise
Verna Smith, Homelessness Advocate
Michael Foust, Gallatin Mental Health
Pamela Cooper, Rocky Mountain Development Council
Carol Townsend, Community Member
Cindy Smith, Montana Independent Living Project
Staff of HRDC
Andy Kemp, Gallatin Mental Health
Lt. Peter Oliver, Bozeman Salvation Army
Hannah Wahlert, Help Center-211
Rick Gale, Vietnam Veterans of Southwest Montana
Michelle Letendre, Community Member
Kat Stephens, Bozeman Public Library
Tim Peterson, Volunteers of America
Carrie Stohler, Gallatin Mental Health
Jen Vero, Community Health Partners
Nicole Grafel, Belgrade School District
Edward Sipinski, Alcohol and Drug Services of Gallatin County
Glenda Noyes, CASA/GAL of Gallatin County
John Paszkiet, Greater Impact Inc.
Genessa Meha, HAVEN
Daitha Meyes, Experience Works
Sharon Flowers, Experience Works
Steven Weaver, Homelessness Advocate