Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout18- City Grant #2018-10 - Community Development Block Grant Program Planning Grant �A?e- &v (21L BOZEMAN MT City of Bozeman Grant Routing Cover Sheet This form is used in conjunction with Administrative Order 2014-01 adopting the Grant Application and Reception Policy. When a Department Director signs grant documents under this provision, they are certifying that they understand and will carry out the provisions of the grant and its impact on city operations and finances. All the required boxes must be initialed by the appropriate departments. Use a separate routing sheet for each phase of the grant process. Utilize assigned grant number for each phase for tracking purposes. Grant Document Title: CDBG Planning Grant Grant#(issued by City Clerk):2018-10 CFDA#(applies to Federal grants) Grant Total:$50,000 Grant Match:$50,000 Department: Community Development-Affordable Housing Grant Project Manager:Matthew Madsen-Affordable Housing Program Manager Phase of Process: ❑Notice of Intent F7 Application Award/Contract Date Document Signed: For all grants under$20,000 in Department Finance Office City Manager Original Signed value. Director Grant Documents to City Clerk Does not require approval on Commission meeting agenda For all grants over$20,000 in Department Finance Office City Manager Original Signed value. Director Grant Documents *Department Director initials to City Clerk verify notification to City Commission and City Manager within 30 days of grant application. REQUIRES City Commission Approval DATE of COMMISSION J MEETING: 05/14/2018t`t vQ� Presented by:Madsen Consent Action Revised 10/27/2014 COMPLETED CDBG PLANNING GRANT APPLICATION FORM MONTANA COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM MONTANA DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE—COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIVISION ACCEPTANCE OF CDBG PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS The Applicant hereby certifies that: It will comply with all applicable parts of Title I of the Federal Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, as amended, which have not been cited herein, as well as with other applicable federal laws and regulations. It will comply with all requirements established by the Montana Department of Commerce and applicable State laws, regulations, and administrative procedures. It accepts the terms, conditions, selection criteria, and procedures established by the Montana Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program and expressly waives any statutory or common law right it may have to challenge the legitimacy and propriety of these terms, conditions, criteria, and procedures in the event that it is not selected for an award of CDBG funds. APPLICANT- CERTIFICATION To the best of my knowledge d'6elief, the information provided in this application and in the attached documents is true and corre . Signature ief El ficial or Auth ized Representative Name Title (' 6� goal �[N Date YVA4 44 i i Eligible Applicant's Information [See Guidelines, page 3] 1. Name of Local Government and Chief Elected Official Phone#/email address Mailing Address Federal Tax ID# DUNS Number 2. Name of Sub-recipient N/A or Assisted Business (if applicable) and primary contact I Phone#/email address j I Mailing Address DUNS# North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS) Code Primary Contact Person/Grant Administrator(if not already listed above) Name Matthew Madsen City of Bozeman Affiliation Affordable Housing Program Manager Job Title Phone#/email address 06-582-2953 PO Box 1230 Bozeman, MT 59771-1230 Mailing Address CDBG Planning Grant Funds Requested: $ 50,000 MCommunity Benefit— 1:3 match required ❑Site-Specific/Private Entity Benefit— 1:1 match required (Note: Required matching funds and amounts must be included in this preliminary budget) BUDGET STATUS OF OTHER FUNDING SOURCES: AMOUNT COMMITMENT (Pending or Firm) CDBG Requested Funds $50,000 Pending Local match (required; see above) $50,000 Firm {Name of Matching Funds, if not local) $ TOTAL ESTIMATED PROJECT COST $100,000 2 PROVIDE A BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PROPOSED PLANNING ACTIVITY AND COMMUNITY/ENTITY BENEFIT: (Describe what the final work product will be and provide a description of the items that make up the work scope. A more thorough description may be necessary if the planning activity is for a product other than a CCIP,growth policy or PAR/PER. Include a discussion regarding the schedule including when key project milestones will be started and completed, see Exhibit 1.) Please limit the response to this description of the proposed planning activity to a maximum of two pages, The City of Bozeman conducted its last Housing Needs Assessment and Action Plan development in 2012. Since that time, the cost of for-sale housing and rentals has continued an upward trend. In addition, vacancy rates for rentals continues to be very low around 1-2%.With most vacancies occurring at the time of switching tenants. As part of the recently adopted City of Bozeman Strategic Action Plan, the city identified Affordable Housing as a long- term vision strategy. The City of Bozeman also recently hired an Affordable Housing Program Manager with the goal of development of a long-term Affordable Housing Program. The needs assessment and subsequent action plan will be used to help guide the work for the short and long-term. The proposed planning activity for the City of Bozeman's grant application for CDBG funds is to conduct a comprehensive Housing Needs Assessment and the development of a strategic action plan to drive the expansion and implementation of the Affordable Housing Program for the city. Through an RFP process, the City of Bozeman will recruit and contract with a consultant to conduct in partnership with city staff a community based housing needs assessment and development of strategic action plan. The needs assessment will consist of multiple components that include but are not limited to: data collection, community conversations, community outreach, public surveys, focus groups, and public stakeholder meetings. The Affordable Housing Program Manager will work with the consultant to assist with the development and outreach required to make sure that the community process is inclusive of all residents of Bozeman. Throughout the project, the Affordable Housing Program Manager will work with the consultants to make sure that the process is transparent and inclusive. Seeking input from all sectors including but not limited to: community residents businesses, real estate, Montana State University, students and developers/builders. After the grant award and approval by MDOC,the RFP will be released in June. Applicants for the RFP process will be interviewed and selected with a contract start date of early August. The needs assessment will be conducted from late August through Mid-October with a draft report being available by mid-November. The public comment period will begin in mid-November and run through mid January. Upon the completion of the public comment, the final draft will be submitted. Throughout the planning process, there will be multiple community meetings as well as update presentations to the City Commission. This will help to ensure of the inclusive nature of the planning process. The Housing Action Plan will be developed and will consist of specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and time- oriented goals that are identified from the needs assessment and agree upon by community input and feedback. The Affordable Housing Program staff will work with the consultants to gain input from the Community Affordable Housing Advisory Board (CAHAB). Once completed, the plan will consist of short and long-term goals with specific measurable and completion dates. Upon adoption the action plan will be used to drive the work in the community as well as provide accountability for the Affordable Housing Program Staff to the commission, city manager and the community. During the Strategic Planning process,the City will utilize the Community Affordable Housing Advisory Board, made up of representatives from all of the different sectors listed above. The goal will be to work with the Affordable Housing Program Manager and the consultants to begin the strategic planning process of developing goals and laying out both the short and long-term action plans. The City of Bozeman is in the process of updating it Growth Policy and the results of the Housing Needs Assessment will be used to help direct and supplement the discussions around housing that occur within the growth policy. This could include but would not be limited to future development needs as well as public investment into the programs and policies that have a direct impact on housing and housing issues in the community. This will result in long-term policy development that can meet the needs and goals that are identified and set through the assessment and action planning process. 3 The Action Plan will help to drive the refinement of the Affordable Housing Program for the city. Utilizing the current inclusionary zoning ordinance as one of the components,the Affordable Housing Program will be reined and improved to meet the continuum of housing needs for the city. From emergency and transitional housing to rentals to ownership of condos and single household homes the program will look at how the city's funds can be spent in an effective and efficient way to encourage development of housing across the spectrum. 4 REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION TO BE SUBMITTED WITH APPLICATION (AS APPLICABLE): I. WAIVER OF MATCH REQUESTED? If waiver of match is requested, provide supporting documentation and narrative justification as part of the budget narrative. [See Guidelines,page 5.1 It. LETTER(S) OF COMMITMENT[For funds or resources to be provided by a non-profit agency,water and sewer district, or similar organization;see Guidelines,page 5.] Ill. PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION SCHEDULE [Provide a project implementation schedule using Exhibit I attached. Include a brief narrative to explain your proposed project schedule.] IV. PROPOSED PROJECT BUDGET AND BUDGET JUSTIFICATION NARRATIVE [Use Exhibit 2 attached to list your project budget and to provide a detailed narrative that explains and justifies each line item o f your proposed budget] V. DETERMINATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL EXEMPTION [Provide a resolution or letter, signed by the chief elected official, documenting determination of environmental exemption, using Exhibit 3 A and 3-B] PROJECT PROPOSAL Using separate sheets, applicants must address each of the questions below. Applicants are encouraged to review community development objectives outlined within the Annual Action Plan for Montana's Consolidated Plan; Community Planning staff will be reviewing all applications to determine that the proposed project meets the objectives of the Annual Action Plan for Montana's Consolidated Plan. If a question is not applicable to the proposed planning project, the applicant must b r i e f I y address why it is not applicable. Links to supplemental documents or community—specific data and related information are encouraged to help support or illustrate the planning activity that funding is being requested for. Please limit the responses to the questions (A.I through A.5 and B) below to a maximum of two pages each. 5 A. Address the following elements as they relate to the proposed planning project, providing references and supplemental documentation as necessary to adequately illustrate a response: 1. The need for financial assistance to complete the planning project: The City of Bozeman has proposed a budget of up to $60,000 in the fiscal year 2018/19 budget to be used towards the completion of a Community Housing Needs Assessment and the development of a Strategic Action Plan. The ability to leverage the additional $50,000 in Community Development Block Grant Planning dollars will allow the city to create a budget for the entire process that is $100,000. This will allow the opportunity for the city to offer a contract to hire a very qualified consultant for the entire needs assessment and strategic action plan development process. 2. The fiscal capacity of the applicant to meet the grant conditions required by the Department, including but not limited to its ability to manage the planning project and demonstrate the use of generally accepted accounting principles: The City of Bozeman has allocated 3 mill levies per year towards the Affordable Housing Program that is run through the Community Development Department. This budgeted money is used to staff and run the Affordable Housing Program. Within the budget for the 2018/19 fiscal year, $60,000 was proposed and allocated towards the completion of an updated comprehensive Housing Needs Assessment and development of a Housing Plan. Since this money is part of the 2018/19 annual budget, the City has the fiscal capacity to meet the grant requirements as required by the Department of Commerce. In addition,the City of Bozeman has hired and budgeted for the position of an Affordable Housing Program Manager. The Program Manager will be responsible for the development of the RFP as well as work on overseeing the consultant interview and selection process. The assessment process needs to be inclusive of all the economic, social and cultural diversity that exists in Bozeman and the Program Manager will be responsible for working with the consultants throughout the process to make sure that those needs are being met. In addition to management of the consultant process, the Program Manager will also be responsible for the management and administration of the CDBG grant. These tasks include but are not limited to data and information tracking, creation and submittal of required reports, 3. Past efforts to ensure sound, effective, long-term community wide planning: The last community housing needs assessment for the City of Bozeman was conducted by Werwath and Associates in 2012. That needs assessment was used to develop a housing action plan. This action plan was then used to help direct affordable housing work for the city. In partnership with community organizations like the Human Resource Development Council, parts of the action plan were completed. These included: - Affordable Rentals: Goal of 200 units, 195 were developed - Emergency&Transitional Housing: Goal of 55 beds, 57 were developed - Assisted Ownership Down Payment: Goal of 100 loans, 84 were provided The city currently runs the Community Affordable Housing Advisory Board (CAHAB) which helps advise around the issue of Affordable Housing. It consists of community members from different organizations and business that are involved in housing as well as residents who are within the income qualifications for certain housing programs. Through the work of the city, community organizations and the advisory board goals of the action plan were met. In addition to the action plan, the 2012 needs assessment was instrumental in the creation of the current Affordable Housing Ordinance that is a part of the City of Bozeman's Unified Development 6 Code. The ordinance is an inclusionary zoning ordinance that requires any new developments of 10 units (single-family detached or townhouse) or more to build at least 10% at the lower-priced rate. This ordinance is currently active and in place and will be one of the tools that is used in the comprehensive program that will be developed. 4. The demonstrated importance of, and the community's current support for,the planning project. The City of Bozeman conducted a city-wide Strategic Planning process that resulted in the City of Bozeman's Strategic Plan. One of the vision strategies of the plan is to "Develop a comprehensive affordable housing action plan that includes but is not limited to: - Mandate the creation of affordable housing across all dwelling and unit types. - Provides prescribed flexibility in the manner in which the mandate can be accomplished - Provides a substantial, board-based and reliable source of funding for the construction of affordable housing and for affordable housing loans - Actively encourages Bozeman's major employers to develop workforce housing programs for their employees The creation of the Affordable Housing Program Manager positions as well as a the development of a vision strategy within the City's Strategic Plan, shows that the city has identified the importance of the need for work around the issue of affordable housing. The manager will work with community partners to develop a community-wide program that can enhance the current work being done as well as build the foundations for a successful long-term plan. In March of 2018, the median sales price for a single family home in Bozeman pushed above $400,000 (Gallatin Association of Realtors) this with the increase in rental rates has caused affordable housing to remain one of the biggest issues that is currently being faced by residents of the community. According to data from the most recent American Community Survey, more than 51%of renters and 25% of homeowners in Gallatin County are paying more than 30%of their income towards housing. This creates other issues for residents from being able to afford health care to the ability to access healthy foods. The needs assessment and resulting housing action plan will lay the framework for the next four years of housing work that the city will undertake. 5. Relation of planning project to business expansion or retention, specifically the number of potential jobs created or retained as a result of the proposed planning effort. Housing affordability is essential to Bozeman's economic development and job creation efforts.With unemployment hovering around 3%, Bozeman businesses must increasingly attract talent from outside the Bozeman area. Bozeman wages cannot keep up with skyrocketing home values. The median household income of$48,612 is insufficient for the average family to purchase homes with a median value of$400,000. Bozeman has been growing at a rate of over 4% per year for the last two years and the number of new homes and apartments has not kept up with that rate of growth. During this time, job growth has also been occurring in Gallatin County at a rate of 2.9% (2018 EPS Report). High cost of living makes it difficult for businesses to attract new talent to the area. In conversations with the Bozeman Chamber of Commerce, workforce housing is an issue that they feel is having an impact on the community. Without the ability for the workforce to access housing, businesses will struggle to hire and retain quality employees. Housing affordability, then, is a significant impediment to business sustainability and growth. During the housing needs assessment process, the business community will be invited to be involved so that resulting action plan looks at housing and its impact on the economic vitality of the community. 7 B. Describe the intended outcome of the proposed planning project; how will the receipt of planning grant funds have a positive impact on the applicant community, and what steps will be taken following the conclusion of the planning activity (additional grant funds sought, implementation, construction, etc.)? There are multiple intended outcomes of the proposed housing needs assessment and action plan. These include: 1. An up-to-date data resource that can be used to guide housing planning and work for the next 5 years. The data will include the following: - Housing—rentals, ownership, market data - Construction/Development Trends - Demographics - Transportation - Land Inventory and Land Use - Opportunity Zones - Economic Data - Effectiveness of the Current Inclusionary Zoning Ordinance 2. A full report that is publicly available of the all the data that is easy to access and use. 3. A comprehensive action plan that identifies at least 4 housing priority areas with specific action items that are measurable with timelines for completion. 4. A final community report that summarizes the needs assessment and lays out the City's Affordable Housing Action Plan. S. Community buy-in to the current state of affordable housing and the long-term action plan. The needs assessment and resulting action plan will have a very positive impact on the City of Bozeman. It will create the data that is necessary to develop an Affordable Housing Program that is meeting the needs of all aspects of the community. The city will be able to thoroughly analyze the current inclusionary zoning ordinance to find out what is working and what can be changed so that the actual goals and needs of the community are being met. Another positive impact that the planning project will have is creating a community driven definition of the housing issues that are facing Bozeman residents, business owners and the community. In addition, community input will come around the development of the goals which will ultimately drive the city's work in the both short and long-term. Since the Affordable Housing Program Manager will be working closely with the consultants during the needs assessment and action plan development. It will ensure that community engagement, transparency and inclusivity are there throughout the project. Upon completion of the planning project, the city will continue to use the results to develop and refine the Affordable Housing Program. Possible outcomes could include expansion or changes to the inclusionary zoning ordinance, increase in access to city down payment assistance for home- buyers, more funding and support being put towards working with developers to leverage LIHTC funded housing projects. Other possible outcomes include working with investors in the newly created Opportunity Zones that have been identified within the city limits of Bozeman. In addition, other creative solutions will be identified to help the city achieve its goal of 8 Alternative accessible formats of this document will be provided upon request. if you need this document in an alternative format, such as large print, Braille, audio tape, or computer diskette, please contact the Montana Department of Commerce Community Development Division at (406) 841-2770,TDD (406) 841-2702,or the Relay Services number, 711. The Department of Commerce does not discriminate on the basis of disability in admission to, access to, or operations of its program, services, or activities. Individuals,who need aids or services for effective communication or need other disability-related accommodations in the programs and services offered, are invited to make their needs and preferences known. Please provide as much advance notice as possible for requests. 9 EXHIBIT I CDBG COMMUNITY PLANNING GRANTS PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION SCHEDULE TASK MONTH PROJECT START UP Preparation of MDOC Contract June PROCUREMENT OF PROFESSIONAL ASSISTANCE Including professional engineers, architects, and planning consultants, etc. Submit Request for Proposals (RFP) to DOC for review June (Architectural and engineering services must be procured n compliance with Section 18-8-201,MCA) Publish RFP or RFQ/Conduct limited solicitation ]une Select professional August Execute agreement with professional August PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION Prepare draft plan/report November Submit interim Request for Funds,and November 50%draft of final product(digital copy) Public review and comment December/January Finalize plan/report February/March PROJECT CLOSEOUT Submit final product, both in digital and printed formats March Submit final Request for Funds and Project Completion Report I EXHIBIT 2 CDBG COMMUNITY PLANNING GRANTS PRELIMINARY PROJECT BUDGET& NARRATIVE APPLICANT NAME City of Bozeman - Community Development Department SOURCE: SOURCE: SOURCE: TOTAL CDBG Match City of Bozeman Affordable Housing Program Fund) Status of non-CDBG FIRM funds (Pending or Firm) Em Professional Planning $50,000 $50,000 $100,000 Activities Professional Architectural/Engineering Services Other(Describe) TOTAL PLANNING PROJECT $50,000 $50,000 $ $100,000 Note— Because the amount of funding is limited, applicants will be expected to absorb most costs associated with the administration of the CDBG Planning Grant. The budget justification narrative must thoroughly explain the rationale or basis for all proposed budget costs for each line item. Quotes from qualified professionals may be requested by MDOC to justify the proposed budget; applicants are encouraged to provide estimates from qualified contractors as part of the application package, in support of the amount of funds requested. The thoroughness of the budget justification will be a consideration in the review of the application. The budget for the planning project must be accompanied by a detailed narrative that explains: I) The justification for each budget line item for the CDBG funds requested; 2) Local matching funds;and 3) Other sources and amounts of local, state,federal,or private funds to be involved. Reminder: Planning grants may not be used for reimbursement of activities undertaken or completed prior to the date of announcement of grant award by the Department of Commerce. Budget Justification Narrative Response (response below or attached: ) The $50,000 that is being requested form the Montana Department of Commerce as part of the CDBG grant application will be used to pay a consultant to conduct the housing needs assessment and subsequent creation of a strategic action plan. The award of the contract will be based off of the completion of a city-based RFP process that was approved by the Department of Commerce. 2) The $50,000 of matching funds that has been allocated by the City of Bozeman is budgeted through the 3 mill levies that are used for Affordable Housing Programming. It will be used to pay the remainder of the cost of the consultant to conduct the housing needs assessment and subsequent creation of a strategic action plan. In addition to the$50,000 the city has a budget allocation for the salary of the Affordable Housing Program Manager who will be responsible for the administration and maintenance of the grant. The Affordable Housing Program Manager will also be working with the consultants throughout the process to maintain that the assessment and development of the action plan is inclusive and transparent and is gathering the required data necessary to develop a thorough needs assessment and action plan. I t BOZ E MAN MT Community Development EXHIBIT 3-A CDBG COMMUNITY PLANNING GRANTS DESIGNATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL CERTIFYING OFFICIAL 05/03/2018 Galen Steffens Montana Department of Commerce Community Development Division 301 S. Park P.O. Box 200523 Helena, MT 59620 Dear Galen Steffens: This is to notify you that Martin Matsen, Community Development Director, is designated as the Environmental Certifying Official responsible for all activities associated with the environmental review process to be completed in conjunction with the 2018 CDBG grant awarded to the City of Bozeman, Montana. Sincerely; (:Type Signature* L ame and Title *The chief elected official should sign this letter (mayor or chairperson of county commission). 0 • • :. TDD: 406-582-2301 THE MOST LIVABLE PLACE. BOZEMANM Community Development EXHIBIT 3-13 CDBG COMMUNITY PLANNING GRANTS FINDING OF EXEMPT ACTIVITIES 0510312018 Galen Steffens Montana Department of Commerce Community Development Division 301 S. Park P.O. Box 200523 Helena, MT 59620-0523 Dear Galen Steffens: It is the finding of the City of Bozeman, Montana, that the following activities approved for funding under the Montana CDBG program are defined as exempt activities under 24 Part 58.34, and meet the conditions specified therein for such exemption, of the Environmental Review Process for Title I Community Development Block Grant Programs, and that these activities are in compliance with the environmental requirements of related federal authorities. The activities and the statutory authority for exemption are listed below: List applicable activities, descriptions, and authority. For example: 1. Planning Activities to include the conduction of a housing needs assessment and development of a housing program action plan. Sincerely, _ i Signature of Environmental Certifying Official or Chief Elected Official O 1 East Olive StreetQP.O. B• /Bozeman, 1 O 4/6 •1 © 416 •• • TDD: 406-582-2301 THE MOST LIVABLE PLACE. "dapStrraito Dru:lopurs • Ihiildc►s •ronsullanls Galen Steffens Montana Department of Commerce Community Development Division 301 S. Park P.O. Box 200523 Helena,MT 59620 May 3,2018 Dear Ms. Steffens: Kilday&Stratton, Inc. strongly supports the City of Bozeman grant application to prepare a Housing Needs Assessment. We have been directly involved in the City's Affordable Housing Program having just completed the first four homes constructed under the new Affordable Housing Ordinance. We also have four additional homes under construction. As a result,we directly see the positive results of the efforts by the community to date. The obvious next step is to use what has been learned since the previous Housing Needs Assessment and Action Plan completed in 2012 to update that plan providing a platform to move forward. As a developer and home builder in the community Kilday&Stratton, Inc. looks forward to the planning process and creation of a long-term vision for Affordable Housing in Bozeman. We are confident the grant will be put to good use. Suicerely, 4-k . (�,�- aines M. Kilday President IGrday&Stratton, Inc. 2880 Technology Boulevard West • Bozeman, MT 59718 • 406-577-2028 • kildaystratton.com BUILDING A BETTER COMMUNITY May 3, 2018 rn 0 u Ms. Galen Steffens v r Montana Department of Commerce a� r Community Development Division 301 S. Park P.O. Box 200523 Ua Helena, MT 59620 0 a, Dear Ms. Steffens: s a On behalf of Human Resource Development Council of District IX, Inc. (HRDC), please accept our support for the City of Bozeman's application for the State of Montana's CDBG Planning Grant to conduct a housing needs assessment and development of a housing action plan. This project is in line with HRDC's mission and will have a positive impact on the community. HRDC works in the City of Bozeman across several service areas with the goal of building a better community. One of our priority areas for work is the housing continuum. From homelessness to homeownership, HRDC works to provide access to shelter from emergency and transitional housing to rental assistance and home purchasing assistance. HRDC supports the City of Bozeman's application for a CDBG Planning Grant to help with the development of an updated comprehensive housing needs assessment and housing action plan. The data will help the City and its community partners develop an inclusive and comprehensive plan that will drive work for the next 5-10 years and beyond. HRDC is pleased to offer our support and partnership on this project. Please contact me at 406- 585-4890 if you have any questions about our organization's support. Sincerely, Tracy M nuez Community Develdpment p: 406.587.4486 e: hello@thehrdc.org a: 32 South Tracy Bozeman, Montana 59715 HRDC BUILDING A BETTER COMMUNITY chamber of Commerce May 4,2018 Galen Steffens Montana Department of Commerce Community Development Division 301 S.Park P.O.Box 200523 Helena,MT 59620 Dear Ms.Steffens: I am writing this letter on behalf of the Bozeman Area Chamber of Commerce to support the City of Bozeman's application for the State of Montana's CDBG Planning Grant for conducting a housing needs assessment and development of a housing action plan.The Chamber believes that this project can have a very positive impact on the community and begin to address the issue of housing that has been affecting the city and its business community. Workforce Housing has been identified by the Chamber of Commerce's board of directors as an important issue that affects the business community here in Bozeman. A lack of access to affordable housing impacts the ability of businesses to attract and retain highly qualified employees. The Chamber believes in a comprehensive and inclusive approach and is excited to be able to provide input to the city through the comprehensive needs assessment that will be part of this CDBG Planning Grant. I offer my support to this project as a representative and Executive Director of the Bozeman Area Chamber of Commerce. Please call me direct at 406-922-0448 or email me at dschliem@,)bozemanchamber.com if you have any questions. Sincerely, 4L D W.Schliem P r i nt/CEO Bozeman Area Chamber of Commerce 406.586.5421 2000 Commerce Way, Bozeman,MT 59715 www.bozemanchamber.com info!abozemanchamber.com