HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-16-20 Public Comment - J. Magistrelli - Habitat for Humanity of Gallatin Valley UpdateFrom:Tanya Andreasen
To:Agenda
Subject:FW: Update to City Commissioners
Date:Thursday, July 16, 2020 11:50:50 AM
Attachments:Habitat Update City Commissioners.docx
From: David Magistrelli <jdavid@habitatbozeman.org>
Sent: Wednesday, July 15, 2020 4:25 PM
To: Tanya Andreasen <TAndreasen@BOZEMAN.NET>
Subject: Update to City Commissioners
Tanya, please find attached our letter to the City Commissioners for their work session on Monday
the 20th of July. This letter provides an update on what Habitat is doing in the City as well as in the
county. If possible I would like to also speak at the Commissioners meeting Monday night. I would
appreciate you making this letter available to the commissioners during their work session. Thanks
for your help.
David
J. David Magistrelli, Executive Director
Habitat for Humanity of Gallatin Valley Inc.
Office 406 388 8225
Fax 406 388 8226
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Bringing people together to build homes, communities and
hope.
230 Arden Dr. Belgrade, MT 59714 office (406) 388-8225 fax (406) 388-8226 ReStore (406) 388-2851
July 15, 2020
Mayor Chris Mehl
City Commissioners
Mr. Jeff Mihelich, City Manager
RE: Update on Habitat for Humanity of Gallatin Valley, Inc., activities within City of Bozeman
and surrounding communities.
As you know, Habitat for Humanity of Gallatin Valley is actively building housing for
individuals and families that earn less than 70% of AMI. Our families are the core of our local
workforce holding jobs such as dishwashers, mechanics, receptionists, managers, IT staff,
childcare workers and food service personnel.
Our last major build in the City of Bozeman took place in the years 2009 through 2013. Several
of these homes have been re-purchased by Habitat thereby keeping them affordable to those
making less than 70% of AMI. In September we are placing one of these homes into a Certified
Land Trust, ensuring that the home continues to be affordable to this income level over the next
75 years. During this build cycle, the City of Bozeman helped us with the impact fees being
deferred for a period of ten years or repaid to the City if the houses were sold on the open
market.
Currently, because of land limitations, Habitat is building two townhouses in the City of
Belgrade for families who currently work in the City of Bozeman. These houses are selling for
$175,000. They are being placed in a Certified Land Trust so that they remain affordable to our
community members earning less than 70% of the AMI.
Habitat is building these townhouses at a cost of $90.00 a square foot.
Habitat has also entered into a joint venture with the Big Sky School District #72 to build 6
housing units for their employees at a cost of just over $151.00 a square foot. This cost includes
the infrastructure of the septic system and the digging of two wells.
Because of this joint venture we have been in conversation with the Bozeman School District
exploring the possibility of building employees housing for them.
Habitat’s biggest challenge is obtaining land to build on. We made a proposal to the City to build
9 units on city owned land several years ago. Due to changes in personnel and leadership, no
230 Arden Dr. Belgrade, MT 59714 office (406) 388-8225 fax (406) 388-8226 ReStore (406) 388-2851
2
concrete decision has been made on whether this would be viable. Our proposal would place the
land into a land trust as we have done with the 5 houses to date. We also offered that the first
options for purchase to be city employees.
Habitat is the lowest cost builder in Gallatin, Park and Madison counties. We have achieved this
status thanks to the number of volunteers who have given their time and talents to build these
houses, making our building program truly a community effort. When Habitat sells a home, we
do not make any profit on the sale but continue applying for grants, while relying on donations
and income from our ReStore to sustain our home building program.
Habitat continues to offer its Critical Repair Program to residents of the City of Bozeman. We
do this in partnership with Sunrise Rotary Fix Up Festival as well as our own repair program. A
number of these repairs are for health and safety issues, with many of the families being elderly
and living on a fixed income. Since 2010 we have completed more than 20 repair projects
allowing these homeowners to remain in their homes and remain part of their community.
Housing for the workforce of the City of Bozeman continues to be a major focus for you and the
community. Habitat can help address this in a meaningful way if we can receive support for land
to build on. A donation of land or the opportunity to purchase land at a reduced cost would
enable us to add affordable housing to the limited stock. We have more than 15 families waiting
for housing, many of whom live in the City but can’t afford the current market costs.
Any opportunity to maximize city land would be greatly appreciated. Then we can continue to
build within the City to enable those ready for homeownership, who can’t get traditional
financing or find a home within their income capabilities, can continue to be part of the City of
Bozeman.
Thank you for your time.
Sincerely,
J. David Magistrelli
J. David Magistrelli,
Executive Director
Bringing people together to build homes, communities and
hope.
230 Arden Dr. Belgrade, MT 59714 office (406) 388-8225 fax (406) 388-8226 ReStore (406) 388-2851