HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-01-24 Public Comment - R. Larson - Comments on urban camping for meetingFrom:Rowan Larson
To:Bozeman Public Comment
Subject:[EXTERNAL]Comments on urban camping for meeting
Date:Thursday, August 1, 2024 3:14:58 PM
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Good afternoon,
I’m a relatively new resident of Bozeman and the rector of St. James Episcopal Church on
Olive and Tracy. Already, I’m no stranger to urban camping in Bozeman and the needs of ourunhoused community.
I have a longtime “resident” of the St. James parking lots who lives in her van. Not because
she wants to, but because she can’t afford not to. We’re able to offer shade in the summer anda plug in in the winter. It’s not nearly enough, but it’s more than most urban campers have
access to.
I hope that the city council considers spending more resources on helping our unhousedneighbors have a way to live with dignity in a place set aside for them (with shade, electricity,
and water access) than on staff salaries or city resources to “police” our neighbors in pursuit ofkeeping folks deemed “unsightly” and “unsafe” out of the public eye and out of upper class
and upscale neighborhoods.
Bozeman needs a systemic approach to actual affordable housing—and subsidizing newconstruction of apartments and houses available based on AMI isn’t it. The rents and
mortgages for the scant amount of stock available are still much higher than so many folks inour community can afford. In the meantime, regulating those without access to safe housing
out of the shelter they have eked out is not the way forward.
Thank you for your consideration, Rev. Rowan Larson