Budget: support for Housing Study from NMARAimee Brunckhorst
From: Erica Wirtala <ericaw@nmar.com>
Sent: Tuesday, August 18, 2020 2:44 PM
To: Kalispell City Council
Subject: [EXTERNAL] Public Comment for Budget Consideration
Good evening,
I am writing in strong support of the line item in the proposed budget designated for the
Affordable Housing Stud,($12,.300).,As a representative for our 1,06o REALTORS@ in the
NW MT REALTOR Association, we are keenly aware of the need of a variety of workforce housing
products in the Kalispell area. The reservation of these monies for the purpose of assessing the
number and type of housing stock available in the City of Kalispell is a vital piece of information to
have in hand when reviewing future housing proposals. Although the $12,500 may not cover the
entire cost of a Housing Needs Assessment, as those are typically conducted by private consultants, it
represents the "seed money" necessary to look for additional funding opportunities. For example, I
have access through the National Association of Realtors to apply for grant money (up to $5,000) for
just these types of projects.
Please do not remove this item from the proposed budget.
Many thanks,
mica Wirtala,
Puklic Affairs F,)irector
Nortkwest Montana Association of Kealtors (NMAK)
i 10 Cooperative Wa ), �alispell, MT 59901
406/75 2--+5 15 or 406/2.49-977+
ericawOnmar.com