The Heartbreaking Truth of the Housing Situation in Bozeman

Bozeman, Montana is quickly becoming a place that could be featured on an episode of the once-popular TV show, Lifestyles of the Rich & Famous.

The Bozeman landscape is changing at lightning speed, and there's not much that longtime locals can do about it, other than sit back and watch. What's even worse is that Bozeman is constantly being thrown into the National spotlight. According to a recent report, Bozeman is the sixth most expensive small metro in America.

At the beginning of 2021, the median home price in Bozeman was $594,000. Now, it's over $700,000. However, homes are selling for much more than that.

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Tent cities and RV camps are common sights in Bozeman as locals struggle to adapt to the rising costs of rent and home buying. For many, living in a tent or camper is the last resort before being entirely homeless. Most of them work full-time jobs and are productive members of the Bozeman community. With a cold Montana winter ahead, people living on the streets and in public places in Bozeman have nowhere to go.

The HRDC' Warming Center is scheduled to open in November, but it doesn't have the capacity to house the number of people on the verge of homelessness in Bozeman.

We constantly talk about how expensive Bozeman is becoming, but what can be done about it? Sadly, not much. As of right now, the average rental listing in Bozeman has over 100 applicants, and it's only getting worse.

If you see someone who has fallen upon hard times, show a little compassion. People aren't choosing to live in tents and campers, for many, it's all they've got. Try to put yourself in their shoes, and always practice kindness.