HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-18-25 Public Comment - J. Durtka - Bozeman Right to CounselFrom:John Durtka
To:Bozeman Public Comment
Subject:[EXTERNAL]Bozeman Right to Counsel
Date:Wednesday, April 16, 2025 4:00:13 PM
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Dear City Commission,
For much of my life, my parents struggled to house me and my 4 siblings. We lived in
houses that never had enough space for us kids. We didn’t always manage to stay
housed, but at least we could sometimes rely on relatives. Not everyone is so lucky.
For many people, an eviction is a one way ticket to homelessness and lifelong
hardship. As an adult, I find it nearly impossible to find affordable housing in my own
hometown.
Considering the prevalence of legal representation for property owners in eviction
cases (79% have lawyers), it is only fair that tenants, often with scarcely a penny to
their names, also have access to representation. As it stands, only around 7% of
tenants can afford lawyers eviction cases.
No one in Bozeman wants the rate of homelessness to continue increasing year by
year. Besides, investing in more representation for tenants will ultimately save money.
Los Angeles saved $3.50 for every $1 invested in representation for tenants.
To conclude, providing tenants with the Right to Counsel would be fair and just, would
prevent further frustration with the growing homeless population of Bozeman, and
would save the city money on resources for homeless people. The only logical
decision is to fund Right to Counsel and keep tenants in their homes.
John Durtka
255 Canyon View Rd
Bozeman, MT 59715
