HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-12-23 Public Comment - Z. Stone - Support for est. Housing AuthorityFrom:Zeth Stone
To:Agenda
Subject:[EXTERNAL]Support for est. Housing Authority
Date:Tuesday, December 12, 2023 11:42:42 AM
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I support the establishment of a municipal housing authority.
To the subject of the evening: Is there unsafe or unsanitary housing existing, and is
there a lack of supply of safe and sanitary housing?
I think we all agree that this City holds the values that whether rich or poor we all deserve
access to clean water and sanitation facilities to dispose of our routine bodily functions.
This is the spirit of the United States (9th) Circuit decision in Martin v. Boise (2019) paired
with criteria set forth in 17-15-4401, if these basic necessities and shelter do not exist then
the City must find ways to remedy it other than criminalization, such as what City planning
documents states as one of its goals - create housing for all (Bozeman UDC Affordable
Housing Assessment, 2021).
The effective date the petition was submitted to the City is August 7th (2023) in accordance
with MT state code (7-15-4403) to establish a housing authority. On August 8th the City
was to provisionally adopt Ordinance 2147 stating it was, “necessary for the health, safety,
and welfare of all residents of the City.” Ordinance 2147 was provisionally adopted on Sept
19, acknowledging the unsafe and unsanitary conditions existing in the City. To date, there
continues to be a lack of sanitation areas leading to improper sewage disposal and in
critical habitat areas like wetlands. I'm not claiming to be an attorney, but that seems like it
could be a violation of the Clean Water Act.
Next, the lack of supply: During last Friday’s OLLI presentation, deputy mayor
Cunningham presented a graph illustrating the city’s population growth reaching 140,000 in
the next 15 years. Despite the City’s best efforts we are still thousands of units short of
reaching the 2019 housing needs assessment goals and that doesn’t account for the
unprecedented population growth the Gallatin Valley has witnessed since the pandemic.
Additionally, the median price for a single family home the past few years fluctuates
between 150 to 180% of AMI. Low- and medium- income residents have been priced out of
market rate home ownership. This is why we need an any and all tools on deck approach to
meet the demands.
Mixed-income Model: There is a claim that a housing authority in Montana can not build or
own units for persons of moderate income or the “missing middle,” but according to the
state code (17-15-4401 (16) persons of low income) the housing authority decides what
income level is insufficient to afford housing without assistance.
In Missoula’s housing authority’s cooperative agreement (2015) with the City of Missoula,
the Missoula housing authority states their mission is to provide quality housing solutions
for low- and middle-income households in the Missoula and surrounding area. The City of
Bozeman defines the missing middle generally as, “households earning between about
80% AMI up to 150% AMI,” – residents who earn more than 80% AMI, but still cannot afford
market-rate housing.
From this, it can be concluded there is a wide range of AMI levels that need assistance and
a need for mixed-income housing options below market rate. Having mixed-income rents in
the housing authority developments provides financial stability and builds community
cohesion. It also allows the City to build in the concept of inclusionary zoning in each new
development they approve.
Zeth Stone
1706 W Beall St.