HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-13-25 Public Comment - K. Ackerman - Support Right to CounselFrom:Kaylee Ackerman
To:Bozeman Public Comment
Subject:[EXTERNAL]Support Right to Counsel
Date:Monday, May 12, 2025 3:29:23 PM
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Dear Bozeman City Commission,
Hello, my name is Kaylee Ackerman, I’m a member of the Bozeman community and
have been for most of my life. Being born in Bozeman has given me a unique
perspective on the changes our city has seen and the challenges that impact every
person living here. I’ve spent my post-college career working in the non-profit sector.
Focusing on housing related challenges, mental health and substance challenges,
and most recently working in intervention and prevention for folks experiencing
violence in our community. My love for non-profit works runs deep, as I have had the
honor to serve Bozeman. It’s been an honor to work with my community in many
different hats while also being a first hand witness to challenges and disparities that
exist here. I’m committed to supporting our community and working towards policies
that amplify the voices in our city, while supporting sustainable policies that will carry
the city of Bozeman for years to come.
This highlights why I believe it’s critical to have a Tenant’s Right to Counsel in place,
to protect and empower renters while maintaining working relationships with
landlords, I believe both can exist at the same time. As a renter myself and someone
who grew up only living in rentals, never owning a space of my own, I have first hand
experienced eviction many different times during my childhood.
My experience renting in Bozeman has been stressful and apprehensive due to the
imbalance that landlords and property managers hold. I’ve rented on month to month
leases and have suddenly, without reason the lease ended, leaving me without
housing for several months while I was in college. I’ve lost housing due to structural
integrity damages, again leaving me without housing while in college. I’ve been afraid
to speak out against unfair treatment or ask for maintenance repairs due to being on
the radar. While these experiences aren’t directly evictions, the trauma of
experiencing housing instability from a young age and as an adult has made me
hyperware of asking for fair treatment while renting. It has made me fearful of losing
my housing, employment, and my quality of life.
I hope my story and examples demonstrate why Tenant’s Right to Counsel is
detrimental to the Bozeman community. Not only would this protect renter’s and
ensure equal power between landlords, but reduce the trauma of housing instability
that is deep rooted in a lot of community members. Trauma that affects lives and
children when eviction and housing instability is present. Having housing is critical to
maintaining employment, childcare, health, and quality of life. Without housing none
of those other options are possible.
Thank you for your time.
Kaylee Ackerman
3480 Fen Way Apt. 22
Bozeman, MT 59718