HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-12-20 Public Comment - T. Lee - Letter of Support_ HRDC application for community housing fundsFrom:Lee, Tacia
To:Agenda
Cc:Heather Grenier; HHS HCS OPA Gallatin
Subject:Letter of Support: HRDC application for community housing funds
Date:Thursday, November 12, 2020 12:20:16 PM
Attachments:HRDC support letter housing.docx
To Whom It May Concern,
Please accept the attached letter of support.
Thank you,
Tacia
Steve Bullock, Governor
Erica Johston, Interim Director
Department of Public Health and Human Services
Bozeman Field Office * (888)706-1535 * Fax: (877)-418-4533 * P.O. Box 202925 Helena, MT 59620-2925
November 13, 2020 City of Bozeman Housing Dept. PO Box 1230
Bozeman, MT 59771
Dear City of Bozeman,
The Bozeman Field Office of Public Assistance is pleased to support the Human Resource
Development Council’s (HRDC) effort to preserve and extend affordable housing in the Gallatin
Valley. One of the ways that the Office of Public Assistance collaborates with the HRDC housing program is by providing emergency cash and rental assistance for those in our community who
are soon to be evicted or without heating.
I was pleased to hear of the purchase of the Boulevard Apartments and Darlinton Manor by the HRDC to fill some of the greatest housing gaps in our community. It is also excellent news that a large share of the funding needed for the renovations has been procured.
“The Affordable Housing needs assessment notes that the community is already in desperate need of additional housing units for people of all income levels. As this community continues to grow, the preservation of affordable housing like the listed properties is critical. Currently, only 5% of the City’s rentals are affordable to households earning less than 60% AMI, however 45%
of the renters fall below this income level. Only 1% of the units are affordable to very low-
income households earning less than 30% AMI. Our community is already in a current housing crisis, and the loss of these additional units would be staggering, and the subsidy irreplaceable.” Please consider approving HRDC’s application for the 500,000.00 in Community Housing Funds
to fulfill the remaining need for renovations. If we work together, our community can be a safer
and more affordable place for all. Sincerely,
Tacia Lee, Field Operations Manager, DPHHS Bozeman Field Office of Public Assistance (406)582-3018 talee@mt.gov
February 12, 2016 Page 2