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Government shutdown looms after Trump-backed bill fails; Environmental groups sue CA Air Resources Board over biogas credits; NY elected officials work to electrify municipal buildings; Need a mental health boost? Talking hot dog is here.

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President-elect Trump repeats his threats to jail Jan. 6th committee members, while also putting a stop-gap spending plan in jeopardy. A court removes Fani Willis from Trump's Georgia election interference case. The FAA restricts drones in New Jersey, and a Federal Reserve rate cut shakes markets.

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Rural folks could soon be shut out of loans for natural disasters if Project 2025 has its way, Taos, New Mexico weighs options for its housing shortage, and the top states providing America's Christmas trees revealed.

Confronting Bozeman's affordable housing shortage

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Tuesday, September 3, 2024   

An advocacy group in Bozeman is calling on young people and low-income renters to take on the city's notorious housing crunch.

More than half of the people who live in Bozeman are renters. The latest Community Housing Needs Assessment showed Bozeman needs up to 6,300 housing units in the next 5 years just to keep up with job growth.

Jacqueline Aaron, voter engagement and housing organizer for the advocacy group Forward Montana, said people who can least afford it are paying more than 50% of their income on rent and even then, not living where they want to.

"The units are being built out on the edges of town, sprawling into our agricultural land, getting pushed outside of the community," Aaron pointed out. "I think a lot of people who really thrive in our urban center and want to be participating in the parts of community life that they value here."

Aaron argued Bozeman's development codes should reflect the desire for people to be able to live closer to town and said it was a common theme at a recent hearing. Officials will hold a work session Sept. 17 to discuss ways to address the housing shortage within the bounds of Bozeman's existing and future ordinances.

Forward Montana said 60% of the housing units in Bozeman should be priced below market value to meet the full range of community housing needs. Aaron emphasized Bozeman's more established residents have had a large hand in shaping the town's housing ordinances, and she is encouraging young people to make their voices heard as the Bozeman City Commission considers what is next for the Affordable Housing Ordinance.

"We're missing out on this over 55% of people who are renting, and a good chunk of those are these young people that are affected," Aaron stressed.

Bozeman officials voiced support during a recent hearing for adding more than 1,600 affordable housing units in town, and there are more on the horizon. Communities now use incentives to encourage developers to build affordable housing.

Disclosure: Forward Montana contributes to our fund for reporting on Civic Engagement, LGBTQIA Issues, Reproductive Health, and Youth Issues. If you would like to help support news in the public interest, click here.


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