Bozeman launches ambitious plan to tackle housing crisis

During a recent government meeting, officials in Bozeman outlined key priorities from the \"Belonging in Bozeman\" plan, focusing on housing strategies aimed at addressing homelessness, reducing displacement, and promoting accessible design. The city has identified five main goals, with the first being the development of a coordinated strategy to tackle homelessness, which has been a persistent issue in the community.

To support these initiatives, Bozeman has contributed to the Headwaters Community Housing Trust's employee purchase program and is actively seeking to promote aging in place through universally accessible design projects. However, challenges remain in securing land and finding interested developers for these projects.

The city is also working on enhancing community awareness regarding housing issues through an education campaign and updates to its housing website, particularly concerning fair housing information. Public engagement is encouraged, with a 30-day comment period running until July 31, leading up to a public hearing on July 23 and a plan adoption scheduled for August 6.

In terms of funding, Bozeman has been allocated approximately $325,000 from the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program, with plans to use $65,000 for administrative purposes. The remaining funds will be directed to local nonprofits serving low and moderate-income individuals. Comparatively, Bozeman's allocation is the smallest among Montana's entitlement jurisdictions, attributed to its relatively low poverty rate.

Additionally, the city has secured $1.4 million from its Community Housing Fund and $4 million from the Gallatin Housing Impact Fund, which is expected to grow to $10 million. These funds have already facilitated the construction of affordable housing projects, with over $14 million in tax increment financing utilized to create 696 workforce housing units.

The CDBG funding is designated for projects benefiting low and moderate-income households, addressing slum and blight conditions, and supporting urgent community development needs. As Bozeman continues to navigate its housing challenges, officials emphasize the importance of every funding source in making a meaningful impact on the community's housing landscape.