HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-09-15 PM Thompson Affordable Housing Public CommentFrom: George Thompson
To: Agenda
Subject: There is not an Affordable Housing Crises in Bozeman
Date: Monday, February 09, 2015 1:04:02 PM
Feb 9th, 2015
RE: There is not an Affordable Housing crises in Bozeman
Commissioners:
A recent “Builders” article (national publication) stated that 1 in 5
American households felt the cost of housing impacted their lives.
Bozeman is no different as our largest employer pays the lowest wages.
In the past year City Commissioners chose to remove a significant
number of affordable housing sites from the Story Mill Park parcel and
put a parking lot in their place. These housing sites had necessary
utilities and transportation (reduced/no impact fees required), also
the adjacent park land would have allowed the Park Land fee to be
waived.
By utilizing variances for street widths, lot sizes and allowing
modern manufactured housing the City could have gained 100 affordable
housing units meeting current building codes to replace the loss of
housing. These homes would lie within existing transportation
networks, bus line, bike paths, thus reducing commuter traffic.
Creating affordable neighborhood communities also requires child care
components. The Boys and Girls club location was placed there for the
high demand by the adjacent trailer park housing. In essence the City
has chosen to isolate the multi-million dollar Boys and Girls Club
investment from close proximity to Bozeman’s affordable housing
participation.
It is not too late to unwind a portion of the Story Mill Park
transaction and increase the available housing parcels to be sold off
to private (tax paying) investors.
Werwath’s housing analysis has significant flaws. The comparable
cities Durango, Bend etc do not have their state’s largest, fastest
growing university. This high influx of students quickly removes all
lower priced housing. But these cities do have access to broader sales
tax revenue to support housing initiatives. Once Bozeman has gained
additional revenue streams from gas or resort taxes, the
Commissioner’s housing decisions will not depend on our property tax
revenues.
It should be noted that Mr. Werwath’s proposal of inclusionary
requirements would once again codify what has been acknowledged as a
bad solution looking to solve a perceived problem. The high cost of
living is simply the price to live here. To maintain a home here many
of us have 2-3 jobs working 60+ hours a week. The housing report does
not mention the rapid increase in local food prices, restaurant meals,
lift tickets, and recreational equipment as impacting quality of life
while reducing funding available for housing.
Over the next couple of years it is anticipated that well over 1,000
rental housing units will be coming on line. Let’s see what happens.
In the meantime, Commissioners should refrain from immediate action
and create an advisory group to examine the current City issues which
impede development of lower priced housing. This group should examine
what should be expected for the first time home buyer; 1,200 max
square footage home, small lot, convenience to daycare/ schools,
transportation, and provide guidance as to realistic expectations. I
would be glad to work with such a group.
Thank you,
George Thompson, 12 Hill Street, Bozeman