HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-04-23 Public Comment - A. Sweeney - Attn Commissioners_ Bozeman needs a Public Housing AuthorityFrom:Alison Sweeney
To:Agenda
Subject:[EXTERNAL]Attn Commissioners: Bozeman needs a Public Housing Authority
Date:Thursday, November 30, 2023 9:48:58 AM
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First of all thank you so much for your appointment of Douglas Fischer to the commission. I
believe this sends a good faith message that you have heard members of the community whenwe asked for a new direction in city government in the recent election. Thank you.
I attended the County hearing on whether or not to create a Public Housing Authority. I think
their ruling was a missed opportunity for us to address permanently affordable housing on aCounty wide level. But more shocking to me was the number of people who turned up to
warn the commissioners of an impending Stallinist-Russia type disaster if we form a PublicHousing Authority.
I am not a socialist, and I support the model proposed by the Bozeman based group that put
the petition before you.
Please read more about the model here:https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/25/business/affordable-housing-montgomery-county.html
I know David Fine is already communicating with Zachary Marks to understand how the
funding model might apply here.
I think it's very important we implement this model with the public ownershipcomponent! That comes with the public oversight of a Housing Authority. I'm urging
you not to just pawn this off on HRDC. They are doing exceptionally important work, but this
model is designed to help those making too much to be eligible for section 8, but not enoughto adequately afford housing. And HRDC is overburdened as it is.
I would love to share my personal story of how low rent for years helped my single mom
afford to buy a house 30 years ago here in Bozeman. Please get in touch if you'd like to learnmore about this model for permanently affordable housing. We can take a walk, or grab a
coffee or anything really.
Thank you so much,
Alison B. SweeneyBernadette's Handmade Jewelry
Bozeman MT406-404-5740
alison-bernadettes.com