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  • Comment Detail

  • Date: 07/31/23
    First Name: Morgan
    Last Name: Estberg
    Email: marieesetberg@gmail.com
    Organization Type: N/A
    Organization: Bozeman Tenants United + Homes Guarantee Campaign
  • Comment

    I have lived in 3 different homes over the past 12 months. Two of which have had lease-based rent hikes without any improvement or justification from the leasing company. I am very lucky because I had a strong enough "tenant reserve" to not struggle to find housing. But just because I'm ok doesn't mean I can turn a blind eye to anyone struggling to survive in this billion dollar tourist town. Bozeman needs to learn to regulate or it will no longer have the labor to support the tourists (since this is all the city focuses on), and certainly no community to make a town worth living in. I went from making a living in LA to being unable to afford rent in Bozeman, without all the amenities, cultural experiences, and public services a city can offer. How is this fair? The wage is $10 for most jobs, and $20-$30 for a common skilled labor job. I was fortunate to get a job as “Director of Marketing” at a small business but due to the employers tactics, I am capped at my current wage. During that time, I lived in two places that within 6 months of renting, they increased their rental price without changing or repairing a single request for the apartment. These building’s naturally fall into disrepair and the renters have to live with it, as the cost of moving and renting is ever-increasing while many are wage-capped like I am. If people can’t find a way to live here, they leave. And soon, all the communities will be barren as so many ghost towns across America reflect that.