HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-17-20 Public Comment - L.Young - HRDC’s request for increased funding Workforce HousingFrom:Linda Young
To:Agenda
Subject:HRDC request for Commission Meeting 4/23
Date:Thursday, April 16, 2020 6:55:11 PM
Dear Commissioners,
As a member of the Board of Directors, I urge you to support HRDC’s request for increased
funding for the Workforce Housing Fund. These funds will be used to make the necessary
improvements to the property on Wheat Dr. to shelter our homeless population.
I believe that the Covid-19 pandemic has crystalized the urgent need for us to do more to
assist our homeless population. The pandemic has made the challenges facing our homeless
families and citizens even more daunting. They lack facilities for basic sanitation, urgent at this
time, while continuing to face uncertainty on a daily basis. Even without the pandemic, lack of
basic shelter makes it difficult to maintain reasonable physical and mental health.
The pandemic has also highlighted that many of our families and citizens are not far removed
from need. Many working people are just a few paychecks away from eviction and hunger.
HRDC staff, led by our CEO Heather Grenier, has been working tirelessly to offer assistance to
any member of our community in need at this time. At the same time, we have been working
quietly to fund Griffen Place, a facility that will enable us to better serve the needs of our
community for years to come for shelter, food, and other services. The shelter on Wheat Dr. is
an important bridge to meet the needs of our community over the next few years. The
pandemic has highlighted how shelter and sanitation is important for public health on an on-
going basis.
HRDC needs the support of the City of Bozeman to fund the necessary modifications to the
Wheat Dr. property. Right now, HRDC is stretched providing services, including rental
assistance and food, to a growing number of families and individuals. As you know, we
purchased the Boulevard Apartments earlier this year in order to prevent more people from
becoming homeless, and that too has been challenging.
We hope the City of Bozeman to partner with us to ensure that we can continue to provide all
these services while working for more permanent solutions in the future.
I appreciate your consideration.
Linda Young
HRDC Board of Directors