HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-08-24 Public Comment - N. Nakamura - The Guthrie is not a gift horseFrom:Natsuki Nakamura
To:Bozeman Public Comment
Subject:[EXTERNAL]The Guthrie is not a gift horse
Date:Monday, April 8, 2024 5:53:41 PM
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Dear Commissioners,
Thank you for listening to and reading all the public comment regarding the Guthrie
development being proposed. I understand that getting an affordable housing project off theground can be difficult, but I refuse to believe that projects like the Guthrie are the best we can
do and that it is a gift horse that we should be grateful for. Despite what the developer hasstated, this project would not be affordable for people like teachers (the starting salary for
most teachers at the Bozeman School District is around $46,000/year). In addition, 30-dayleases can put long-term renters in a vulnerable space, if the landlord decides to raise rent from
month to month or change policies that pushes out their tenants.
To help address the challenges of building affordable housing, I urge the City to reconsider theidea of a public housing authority to implement Montgomery County's Housing Production
Fund model. HUD’s Office of Policy Development & Research had a great discussion thatfeatured expertise from Montgomery County (as well as the City of Atlanta, which was the
example of successful adaptation of the Montgomery County model that Zachary Marksmentioned during our conversation we hosted with him).
"How Local Governments Innovate to Meet Community Housing Needs" : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kMxZj-WlgvY
In particular, it talks about:
The importance of public ownership to be able to continue to reinvest public fundsHelping get worthy projects off the ground, but also understanding who is going to get
the return of investmentThe easiest way to protect tenants is in the buildings you own
Building in the places where housing is most needed
Even HUD on a national level is moving in the direction of social housing. The City of
Bozeman should be ready to seize on this.
Affordable housing should be safe, dignified, and truly affordable.
Thank you for your consideration and for listening to the concerns of residents.Natsuki Nakamura