Fairbridge Inn Public Comment from CAPNWMTKari Barnhart
From:
Cassidy Kipp <ckipp@capnwmt.org>
Sent:
Thursday, January 6, 2022 1:30 PM
To,
Kari Barnhart
Subject:
EXTERNAL Fairbridge Inn public comment
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A few notes of public comment regarding the request for the conditional use permit in the Fairbridge Inn conversion
project.
We applaud housing inventory. Housing is key right now, so coming up with options that supply a chunk of residential
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hard-working good people call the Fairbridge home because they have no other choice. People working jobs at gas
stations, restaurants, scraping by on disability. There are also folks who have some higher incomes, but due to credit
blemishes or lack of rental history are unable to get into a traditional rental situation due to being screened out by
landlords in this highly competitive market.
We are very concerned about the displacement of current long term tenants due to the extreme lack of housing
inventory for people who are low-income and have the following questions/ comments:
a. What is the plan to assist with re -housing current tenants who are displaced in this project?
b. Will current tenants have their units held during rehab or will they need to re -apply?
c. What is the tenant selection process? Is a credit check required? Previous rental references? Criminal
background checks?
d. Many of the long-term Fairbridge Inn units house families or 2+ tenants. What are the occupancy
standards for the proposed units?
e. Other Fortify Holdings projects, such as that being pursued in Walla Walla, are rent restricted due to
funder requirements that stipulate the income level of tenants. Are there any plans to designate a
portion of the units to low income households? Any cap on the annual rent accelerators?
f. The proposal references a studio for $1,000/ month. Per Rent Caf6, a system utilized by Avenue5, a
person would need a gross monthly income of $3,400/ month or $40,000 a year with no existing hard
debt, They would have to work 90 hours a week at minimum wage position or 42.5 hours a week at $20/
hr to cover this rental obligation. Additionally, the proposed rent is 39% over what Housing and Urban
Development has deemed as Fair Market Rent in the Flathead Valley.
g. Are renderings of the interior of units available? It would be nice to preview for compatibility with
Housing Quality Standards for studio units; they if not currently meet these standards.
November of 2021 there was an article in the Tri-Cities Observer that outlines current concerns with
Fortify Holdings, Inc., as well as listing prior alleged and confirmed transgressions. While I don't know
under what purview this would occur, it seems that a vetting process would be helpful to ensure that
this project is a long-standing benefit to the community. There has been such a long period of decline at
the facility. It would be great to have reassurance that Fortify Holdings will be operating in Kalispell long-
term, with a demonstrated pattern of ethical business practices that reflect our community values and
an absence of risk for future litigation that may impact the viability of the company/ project.
Thank you for this opportunity.
Cassidy Kipp
Cassidy Kipp, Deputy Director
ckJppRcaRnwMt.org
Community Action partnership of Northwest Montana
214 main
Kalispell, MT 59904
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