Affordable housing takes center stage

By BROOK GRIFFIN, Chronicle Staff Writer

The Bozeman City Commission will have a special meeting tonight with only affordable housing on the agenda.

Commissioners will listen to a presentation by the Community Affordable Housing Advisory Board on the present housing situation in the city and will go over the issue with city staff.

Mayor Jeff Krauss said Saturday affordable housing problems in Bozeman is nothing new.

"It was expensive to live here in 1975 when I got here and it's expensive now," Krauss said. He hopes Monday's meeting will be a frank discussion on the current problems of housing in the area.

"I want to see a good discussion," he said. "I'm hoping to see good participation from the builders and from the public."

The meeting is open to everyone in the community and public testimony will be taken on the topic.

Commissioner Sean Becker said Sunday that previous efforts to get affordable housing going in Bozeman have not worked.

"Restricted size lots don't work," Becker said. "Developers simply aren't going for it."

Restricted size lots refer to smaller lot sizes in new housing developments intended for smaller homes theoretically with lower price tags.

Part of the frustration in dealing with housing, Becker said, is there are no black and white areas in the debate.

"We could easily end up with 200 people in the room saying they can't afford a home and 30 developers screaming that it's not their responsibility," Becker said. "And you know what? They're both right."

The meeting will start at 6 p.m. in the community room of the Gallatin County Courthouse.

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