HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-10-15 Silvestri Workforce HousingDear Honorable City Commission Members,
I am writing to express my support for the community affordable housing suggestions made by
the housing consultant, Daniel Werwath. With 45% homeownership, 20% below the national
and state average, Bozeman is well on its way to becoming an exclusive community where only
the well off can afford to live. Moreover, this issue impacts the city’s economy and resources.
Having exceeded the capacity of area median incomes and the recommended 30% of income
allotted for housing expenses, housing prices are forcing young families to make difficult choices
and have less money to purchase services and products from local businesses. Additionally, the
high cost of housing has caused many to relocate outside the city but continue to use the city’s
resources without paying their full share of the tax burden for them.
As a married, young professional who works for lower than market average wages just to live in
such a great place like Bozeman, I am afraid that my wife and I will not be able to afford to
purchase a home and start a family in our two years timeframe. With a combination of high rent
and low wages, it is increasingly unrealistic for us to save the requisite 40% down payment for
house with the dramatic rise in prices. This is exactly what happened to us in Flagstaff, AZ with
even higher average home prices and appears to be happening here again. People will easily say
just move to a more affordable place but those quality great places like Bozeman are increasingly
hard to find and we are fully vested in this community with family nearby and have become very
active in it.
Although I believe in the power of the free market, I am also a firm believer that when it
excludes, rather than includes, government needs to step in and make a correction with the
workforce housing ordinance in addition to other prudent measures. Of course, the builders will
oppose this plan, but they need to share in the costs of maintaining this wonderful community
that works for all of us, not just catering to an exclusive few who can afford to live here or even
worse use the houses as investments, depriving Bozeman families of housing options.
Above all, the workforce housing ordinance is a stark choice of who we want to be as a
community: (1) continue on the same path that will surely result in a homogenous, exclusive
community made up the well off or (2) an inclusive, diverse community that gives everyone a
fair shot of the American dream Bozeman style.
I strongly urge the City Commission to go with choice number 2.
Respectfully,
Kenneth J. Silvestri