Housing cost

Affordable housing in the Flathead Valley? What a joke.

You know it's gotten ridiculous when even the opening of new mobile-home court is not a financially available option.

With all these out-of-state developers coming in and buying up huge tracts of land for new high-end subdivisions and luxury homes, is it any wonder that working-class folk are forced to move into RV parks and motels?

It makes me sick that any developer can say that they think this kind of growth is acceptable.

How long have they lived here? Have they ever struggled to put food on the table or keep the heat on during the winter? Have they ever worried about their monthly bills? Have their kids ever known hunger or want? I know I have.

I moved here in the fall of 1990, and all I've ever known is struggle and hardship. I have what could be considered a decent-paying job in the north end of the valley, and I will never be able to afford a home here or anywhere else in the valley.

That, my friends, is truly sad. What will it take to get truly affordable housing in the valley? Will the rich have to take their own garbage out? Maybe do their own lawn work. Or even (gasp) clean their own house?

Be warned. The growth policies in the valley are driving out those people you need. Teachers, garbagemen, police, firefighters, etc.

What are you gonna do when we're gone? God knows, the way it's going, I'm not gonna be here much longer. I can't afford to be.

Kief Mailman

Whitefish