BOZEMAN — The Bozeman City Commission voted 4-1 to adopt the Community Housing Action Plan at the city commission meeting late Monday night.
The plan has been in the works since April, and will create a framework for community housing needs over the next 5 years.
According to the City of Bozeman Community Housing Needs Assessment Study, between 5,400 and around 6,300 housing units are needed in the next 5 years to keep up with current housing shortfall.
On Monday night, the Bozeman City Commission approved the Affordable Housing Action Plan, which ultimately seeks ensure community housing serves a full range of incomes, and produces housing at a rate that at least matches job growth in Bozeman, and having a no net loss of existing housing for people that make 80 percent of area median income.
Members of the public voiced their support and concern about the plan at the meeting.
The plan details a series of actions and strategies to reach housing goals, and contains a framework that emphasizes cooperation between employers, institutions and community organizations.
“So to make a real difference to families that are working here, retirees, it’s gonna take effort, cooperation with the whole community, whether it’s the hospital, MSU, businesses, the Chamber of Commerce, plus the city. And then some time,” said deputy mayor Chris Mehl.
The Community Housing Action Plan has been approved just days after the city’s affordable housing manager, Loren Olson, was fired last week.
The city would comment further, citing employment privacy.
