HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-02-25 Public Comment - M. Da Silva - Bozeman Right to CounselFrom:Marcos Carlos Da Silva
To:Bozeman Public Comment
Subject:[EXTERNAL]Bozeman Right to Counsel
Date:Tuesday, December 2, 2025 10:08:38 AM
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Dear Bozeman City Commission,
My name is Marcos Carlos Da Silva, I live in Bozeman and am a member and previous
organizer with Bozeman Tenant's United. I have been proud to call Bozeman my home, andhave dedicated myself to caring for the people in our community in my work at our regional
medical center. At various times, however, I have struggled in one way or another to afford tolive in this city I have come to love. I have been fortunate that my struggles have never led to
eviction or homelessness, but that is truly the case only because of luck and the grace of mycommunity. Many others are not so fortunate as I.
I support the Bozeman City Commission passing a Tenant Right to Counsel because tenants
deserve equal protections in a court of law. The Montana Legal Services estimates that tenantswith dependents represent over 40% of eviction cases filed annually in Bozeman. Eviction can
impact children's home environment and can result in homelessness and loss of child custody,disrupted school engagement, increased absences and frequent school changes. We need a
Right to Counsel to protect Bozeman families and keep children off the streets and in safehomes.
I encourage you to vote yes and pass a strong Tenant Right to Counsel Ordinance that keeps
Bozeman families safe and leads the state in bold solutions to the housing crisis.
Sincerely, Marcos Carlos Da Silva
Bozeman Resident