HomeMy WebLinkAbout6-11-2020 Public Comment - K. Keller - Guidelines for City of Bozeman Affordable Homeownership waitlistFrom:Chris Mehl
To:Agenda
Subject:Fw: ACTION REQUIRED: New 2020 guidelines in effect for the City of Bozeman affordable homeownership
waitlist
Date:Thursday, June 11, 2020 5:04:50 PM
From: Kris Keller <kommunique@hotmail.com>
Sent: Thursday, June 11, 2020 3:07 PM
To: Chris Mehl <mehlchris@hotmail.com>
Subject: Fw: ACTION REQUIRED: New 2020 guidelines in effect for the City of Bozeman affordable
homeownership waitlist
Hello Chris,
I just had a conversation with Lila about the (as stated below) new, prohibitive restriction on
even being on this list for this housing opportunity. Creating more barriers for individuals in
need is not productive. I understand there were individuals on the list that did not qualify
when the time came. This will result in more admin work, for sure. And, individuals, couples,
and families seeking housing in this price range often use multiple programs to get into home
ownership that complicates the process of receiving a prequal letter; I experienced this myself
in 2018 when trying to purchase. It seems disingenuous for the City to require prequals when
there is no product available, too. I would ask the City consider keeping the list restrictions to
only those of having taken financial planning, Road to Home, and met with a housing
counselor to make sure they understand the process, and current programs they may qualify
for. People should qualify to be on the list based on financial need, not on income, then see
what resources can be put in place when the opportunity to own actually presents.
I also made mention, as all of my work--substitute teaching, Census, in-school therapy--has
stopped right now (COVID-19), that it is an unprecedentedly poor time to implement an
income-based policy, if trying to help low-moderate income people or vulnerable populations.
Best,
Kris Keller
600-8356
From: Lila Fleishman <lfleishman@thehrdc.org>
Sent: Monday, June 8, 2020 3:11 PM
To: kommunique@hotmail.com <kommunique@hotmail.com>
Subject: ACTION REQUIRED: New 2020 guidelines in effect for the City of Bozeman affordable
homeownership waitlist
Hello All,
Starting July 1, 2020 the City of Bozeman Affordable Homeownership waitlist will require a
letter of pre-qualification from a local lender for minimum mortgage affordability of
$150,000. In addition to this change, we will be implementing new purge procedures to
ensure that we maintain a more accurate list of interested and qualified households for the
City of Bozeman Affordable Housing Ordinance, HRDC homeownership developments and
other future developments within the City of Bozeman.
Please update your information here for the City of Bozeman Affordable
Homeownership waitlist or use this form to unsubscribe. Please use the password
“waitlist”.
If you do not submit your letter of pre-qualification, consent to the new procedures and
update your information by July 1, 2020 you will be removed from the waitlist by default.
Households added to the waitlist before June 8th, 2020 will keep the date of their initial
placement, households added after June 8, 2020 will be placed on the waitlist based on
when they submit their pre-qualification. If you require an extension please reply to this
email.
Read more about the City of Bozeman programs here on the City of Bozeman's website. If
you are looking for the Big Sky waitlist instead please email lseyfang@thehrdc.org.
You can read the 2020 waitlist guide here. As a reminder email will be the primary method
for communicating upcoming affordable homeownership opportunities moving forward, you
must follow directions for individual opportunities to be considered. If you are not interested
in purchasing but would like information about HRDC’s development work and affordable
homeownership in the area please subscribe here.
If you have questions please reply to this email.
Thank you,
HRDC Community Development