HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-27-20 Public Comment - A. Heuscher - Suspension of rent, mortgage, and utilitiesFrom:Annie Heuscher
To:Agenda
Subject:Suspension of rent, mortgage, and utilities
Date:Friday, March 27, 2020 12:15:48 AM
Bozeman City Commission,
Dear Rep. Hayman, Sen. Pomnichowski, City and County Commissioners:
I am deeply concerned about the impact that coronavirus will have on our economy. Although,
at a national level, we have enacted some very basic stopgap measures, I am most concerned
about layoffs, reductions in hours, and lost tips leading to evictions, foreclosures, and utility
shut-offs.
Workers across diverse sectors are seeing these changes to their income and we know that
across Montana, our median income is barely enough to live on as it is. While Fannie Mae and
Freddie Mac have committed to preventing foreclosures, we must have legal requirements that
all lenders, landlords, and utilities suspend rent, mortgage, and utility payments during this
time for anyone economically impacted by the pandemic.
This is critical so that these bills do not accrue over the course of this disaster and we must
count on the federal government to reimburse these industries for critical losses during this
time. Utilities must include not only electric/gas, water, and trash, but also telephone and
internet service (including cell phone coverage).
Will you call on Governor Bullock to suspend rent, mortgage, and utility payments (including
commercial leases for small businesses) so that our essential workers are protected and
others can safely stay home?
Thank you for your time and urgent attention. If we act quickly, we can protect our most
vulnerable during this difficult time.
Annie Heuscher
annie.heuscher@gmail.com
903 W Curtiss
Bozeman, Montana 59715