Questions about affordable housing

I am writing to express my concerns about the proposed zone change in Columbia Falls. While I appreciate the need for housing, I am concerned that the proposed development will not meet the needs of our workforce. We must work together to create affordable housing for those who work and live here, or we risk losing our community altogether.

The developer has proposed building a large development with studio apartments renting for $1,200 per month. However, these rents are not affordable for our workforce living in our community. According to the National Low Income Housing Coalition, a minimum wage worker in Montana needs to work 67 hours per week to afford a modest studio apartment.

It’s clear that the proposed development does not provide affordable housing units for these individuals in our community.

Overbuilding can result in an oversupply of housing units, leading to a waste of resources and potentially lowering property values. Moreover, overbuilding will not create affordable housing units as developers prioritize luxury or market-rate units over affordable units.

It’s essential to address this issue in a way that meets the needs of all members of our community while ensuring the efficient use of resources. We cannot afford to ignore the problem, but overbuilding is not the solution.

It is time for us to take a stand and request action from our community leaders. We need a comprehensive plan that involves re-purposing existing properties, incentivizing private developers to build affordable housing, and working with community leaders to create sustainable solutions.

We cannot continue to rely on large-scale developments that cater to the wealthy and ignore the needs of the most vulnerable members of our community.

In conclusion, I urge our community leaders to listen to the voices of their constituents and take action to address the urgent need for affordable housing. We cannot afford to lose our community’s soul and spirit to the greed of those who only care about their profits. 

Thank you,

Justin Cartmell

Columbia Falls