HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-17-23 Public Comment - K. Taylor - Housing Affordability Kaycee Taylor
Gallatin High School
4455 Annie St.
Bozeman MT, 59718
3 April, 2023
Bozeman City Commison
121 N Rouse Ave
Bozeman, MT 59715
Dear Bozeman City Commission,
Hello, I hope your day is going well. My naive is Kaycee and I am a junior at Gallatin High School. I am
writing in regard to talking to you about affordable housing and creating smaller lots.As everyone is
aware, many middle and lower-class families and individuals from Bozeman are struggling to make ends
meet with housing. Not only has the price of housing gone up, (59% higher than the national average)but
people from more wealthy places are buying houses here because it is cheaper for them; as a result, it is
pushing out the people that are already living here in Bozeman.
According to an article report from National Review written by Ari Blaff, it is stated that nearly 1/4th of
homebuyers using their platform were in out-of-state over-priced metro areas. He also addresses that you
need to make around $1oo,000 annually or more to get by with an average house in Bozeman, and in
2021 it was a $73,668 income. In turn, Bozeman locals earn an average salary of$54,88o a year. This
shows that the average salary does not meet the needs of the citizens for housing. Homelessness in
Bozeman has also increased dramatically and even businesses are being affected. Small businesses and
many restaurants and fast food places are being affected because the income they are able to provide for
their workers isn't enough for folks to pay rent so the members of their staff have to move somewhere
more affordable.This also makes this an issue because people cannot afford to move here to work for
those businesses that are struggling with staffing. Many businesses have had to change their hours or
close down entirely due to this.
Now that I've provided some information on the research I have done and what I have seen in Bozeman
recently, I would like to provide a proposal. I realize that the City Commission is aware of this problem
and is taking action. But one thing that could benefit our fast-growing city is building denser housing,
building more housing on single lots like duplexes,triplexes, apartments, condos, and low-income
housing. If houses are built on smaller lots this not only can make housing more affordable but can also
prevent sprawl and keep open space in Bozeman like most individuals want. This idea also makes it so
fast food industry workers, small business workers,teachers, and many other staff members can afford a
home and can keep working here.Also taking into consideration that some families do not want to live in
a duplex or something of the sort, Bozeman should focus on making houses smaller and more reasonable
rather than big houses with big lots. I hope you take my thoughts into consideration, and I would love to
hear back from you on your thoughts.
Regards,
Kaycee Taylor