HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-06-24 Public Comment - H. Grenier - Ordinance 2147From:Heather Grenier
To:Bozeman Public Comment
Cc:Chuck Winn; Renata Munfrada; David Fine; Brit Fontenot
Subject:[EXTERNAL]Ordinance 2147
Date:Tuesday, August 6, 2024 8:30:01 AM
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Good Morning.
As the City prepares to consider revisions to ordinance 2147 regarding camping in
the right of way, it is important to remember that emergency shelters are the first line
of support for our neighbors experiencing homelessness.
We recognize that the Ordinance is intended to manage the existing problem and
does not provide any solutions for the number of people living in cars, campers, and
RVs. We want to express our recommendation that the City not only manage the
problem but also work towards solutions. These are the same recommendationsmade to the Commission in support of the priorities for the Consolidated Plan.
We hope that the City will adopt the following strategy to address camping in the right
of way: first, focus on collaborating with the municipalities across Gallatin County to
meet the immediate funding needs for shelter and transitional housing sustainably;second, work with the faith community and other partners to develop safe parking
programming for individuals and families for whom emergency shelter, transitional
housing, or communal living is not an option; third, invest in an effective modeling
platform to project the emergency, transitional and supportive housing needs for theregion over the next five to ten years, and fourth, adopt and invest in a proven
community-driven strategy to address those needs (i.e. Built For Zero).
In partnership,
Heather Grenierpronouns: she/her/hersPresident/CEOHRDC32 S Tracy Avenue | Bozeman, MT 59715121 S 2nd Street | Livingston, MT 59047www.thehrdc.org