HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-28-25 Public Comment - H. Grenier - Affordable Housing Ordinance RevisionsFrom:Heather Grenier
To:Terry Cunningham; Joey Morrison; Douglas Fischer; Jennifer Madgic; Emma Bode
Cc:Chuck Winn; David Fine; Renata Munfrada; Lila Fleishman; Bozeman Public Comment
Subject:[EXTERNAL]Affordable Housing Ordinance Revisions
Date:Monday, January 27, 2025 11:10:29 AM
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To: City of Bozeman Commissioners
Subject: Support for Revisions to the Affordable Housing Ordinance
January 27, 2025
Mayor and Commissioners,
HRDC wishes to thank you for your ongoing efforts to revise the current Affordable
Housing Ordinance; as a long-time partner to the City’s efforts to address housing
affordability through local policy, we recognize the limitations of tools on the table,
including the impact of House Bill 259 passed in 2021 that banned local
implementation of inclusionary zoning.
Without inclusionary zoning, well-calibrated incentives are our next best option. These
adjustments strive for a balance of incentives that the private sector will use to
provide housing at a reduced cost, relieving demands on taxpayers and the city’s
limited resources.
We know no singular policy can address all of our challenges and needs along the
housing continuum; in addition to this week’s discussion, we look forward to new tools
to address the critical subsidy gap in the creation and preservation of affordable
housing in Bozeman, as well as new incentives to promote affordable
homeownership.
We support the staff recommendations on the revisions of Ordinance 38.380 for
consideration at the January 28, 2025, City Commission meeting and see particular
community benefits in this proposal surrounding:
Lowing the income targets and introducing unit standards to better address the
needs of renters in our community
Extending the period of affordability
Type C incentives that allow for Off-Site Land Donations and Cash-in-Lieu
Contributions. Developable land and flexible resources to fill project gaps are
extremely valuable and efficient ways to maximize the impact of our local
housing needs.
Thank you for your dedication to implementing the limited local tools available to
ensure that people living and working in Bozeman can access safe and affordable
housing.
Sincerely,
Lila Fleishman Community Development Director
Heather Grenier President/CEO
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Heather Grenier
President/CEO
HRDC
32 S Tracy Avenue, Bozeman | 406.587.4486
121 S 2nd Street, Livingston | 406.333.2537
107 E Main Street, White Sulphur Springs | 406.547.3775
www.thehrdc.org
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