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The City of Bozeman has released new information from an affordable housing needs study that consultants have been working on since November.

"Looking at the results of the needs assessment, it was very obvious that renters need decent affordable housing. That is something that is definitely lacking in the community," said David Magistrelli, the Executive Director for Gallatin Valley Habitat for Humanity. Magistrelli is also a member of the community affordable housing advisory board.

The information in the study was gathered from data collected from the 2010 census and by interviewing people about their needs.

"We're working the whole gamut of affordable housing," said Bozeman Planning Director, Tim McHarg. The city is looking into four types of housing: owner occupied, subsidized, rentals, and special needs housing.

"I don't think there's going be an immediate fix. I think it's one that's going to slowly be addressed effectively as the economy gets better, and we get some job security here for those who are making somewhere between $20,000 and $30,000 a year," said Magistrelli.

McHarg said, "on Monday night we are going to have a joint meeting with the city commission and the community affordable housing advisory board to go over the information in the report and what we have heard at the public meeting today. We are hoping to formulate some preliminary recommendations that will advance the second phase of the study."

From there, the whole committee will come up with a five year strategic plan including everything from city regulations to potential funding opportunities.

"We've got such a great community of affordable housing providers, it's really figuring out how to align city resources and regulations with those in the non-profit and private sector to increase the supply of affordable housing given our needs and the demands," said McHarg.

Community members are encouraged to look at the affordable housing report posted on the Bozeman planning department's web site. The department will be accepting any written or verbal comments, and also encourage community members to attend Monday's city commission meeting to voice their opinions in person.