HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-13-25 Public Comment - C. Heroux - Support Right to Counsel_From:chris heroux
To:Bozeman Public Comment
Subject:[EXTERNAL]Support Right to Counsel:
Date:Monday, May 12, 2025 11:08:23 PM
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Dear Bozeman City Commissioner,
My name is Chris Heroux. I’m a single parent of two adult children who reside here in Bozeman. I am a full-time
working member of this community, putting in between 54 and 60 hours each week just to keep up with the rising
cost of living in our city. I moved to Bozeman in 2005/2006, and this community has been my home ever since. My
children were raised here in Montana—Bozeman specifically—from 2005/2006 to the present, and have chosen to
stay here as adults. I care deeply about Bozeman—not only because it is where we live, but because I am invested in
its future, the wellbeing of my neighbors, and the values that shape the place we all call home.
As someone who works hard every day and still finds it a struggle to stay housed and financially stable, I know
firsthand how fragile housing security can be—even for those who are doing everything "right." I care about the
wellbeing of this community because I know that when people have stable housing, they are healthier, more
productive, and better able to contribute meaningfully to the city we all share. Strong communities begin with
housing stability.
I have a personal stake in the right to tenants counsel because I’ve seen what can happen to individuals and families
when they are forced to face eviction court without legal representation. Many renters, myself included, live
paycheck to paycheck. If faced with an eviction—even a wrongful one—most of us cannot afford a lawyer to defend
our rights. This creates a power imbalance that can lead to unnecessary displacement, homelessness, and long-term
harm, especially for working families and seniors.
Establishing the right to tenants counsel isn’t just a moral obligation—it’s a practical, community-centered policy. It
reduces evictions, prevents homelessness, and strengthens families. Cities that have implemented such programs,
including New York City and San Francisco, have seen a sharp decline in eviction rates. In NYC, 86% of tenants
who had legal representation under their Right to Counsel law were able to stay in their homes.
Beyond the human impact, providing legal representation to tenants also makes fiscal sense. Studies show that every
$1 spent on legal representation for tenants saves $3 to $6 in public costs related to shelters, healthcare, and
emergency services. This is not just about protecting renters—it’s about smart budgeting and investing in long-term
community stability.
It’s also important to recognize that the right to tenants counsel benefits landlords as well. When tenants have legal
representation, disputes are more likely to be resolved through communication, mediation, or settlement, rather than
immediate eviction. This reduces the time and cost landlords spend on legal proceedings and increases the
likelihood of recovering unpaid rent. It also helps maintain more stable tenant-landlord relationships, which is
ultimately good for property management and neighborhood cohesion.
Bozeman has an opportunity to be proactive and compassionate. Ensuring tenants have access to legal counsel in
housing court is a step toward fairness, toward equity, and toward a more resilient city.
I urge you to vote yes for the right to tenants counsel. Your support could make the difference between stability and
crisis for countless residents—people like me, my children, and many of your neighbors.
Sincerely,
Chris Heroux
Bozeman Resident, Father of Two, Registered Voter, and Tax payer.