HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-20-20 Public Comment - L. Young - November 24th Commission Meeting_ HRDC request for rennovation fundsFrom:Linda Young
To:Agenda
Subject:November 24th Commission Meeting: HRDC request for rennovation funds
Date:Friday, November 20, 2020 2:14:54 PM
Dear Mayor Andrus and City Commissioners Cunningham, Madgic, Pomerory and Wallner,
I am on the Board of the HRDC and write to you urging support of the agency’s request for
$500,000 from Community Housing Funds for urgent renovations for the Boulevard and
Darlinton Manner apartments. These apartments provide 141 subsidized rental homes, a
resource that our community cannot afford to lose. During my time on the Board of the HRDC,
I have learned a lot about the shortage of housing in our community, and the burden it puts
on working families and citizens on fixed incomes. I know you are all aware of these realities as
well. At this point, the housing situation in Bozeman is so dire that everyone who reads a
newspaper knows that rentals are in short supply and are expensive, and that this is a top
concern of businesses and employers in our community. At this time, only 1% of units
available to rent are affordable to those people earning less than 30% AMI.
The HRDC has already done a lot of work to purchase these apartments and secure funding for
the needed renovations. We need your help to secure the remainder, and to ensure that the
people occupying these apartments continue to have a home.
Linda M. Young
Professor Emerita of Political Science
406 577 4441
Lindayoung.ly@gmail.com