Bozeman urban camping breakdown
A brief article breaking down the 200% spike in urban camping and speculation as to why.
Do you remember as kids setting up camp in the backyard for the weekend, I'd consider that normal suburban camping. What we're seeing these days is urban camping done by adults full time - some of them all year round. I don't believe that many people that move here or were raised here ever expected to be such a population in Montana.
Press
PBS Montana came out with an article titled “Montana city grapples with rise of unhoused people living in vehicles”. Business Insider along with Yahoo Finance republished the same article titled “Urban camping' in this Montana city has spiked 200% as priced-out locals move into cars and RVs”. Funny that Business Insider changed the dynamic from “happy go lucky coastal move” to “Urban camping' in this Montana city has spiked 200%”, what a switch up.
April 20th, 2021 - I packed up my New York City life and moved to Montana alone. Now that I'm here, I can't imagine living anywhere else. - Business Insider
August 23, 2023 I left NYC for Montana. I had a big job title but a terrible bank account — now I'm happier and my money goes further. Business Insider
May 4th, 2024 - I moved to Montana after getting priced out of California. I work in the trades — not all transplants are rich remote workers buying up property. - Business Insider
Homelessness in Montana as of the last few years
According to the 2023 Annual Homelessness Assessment Report (AHAR) Montana saw the largest increase, 551%, of individuals experiencing chronic patterns of homelessness from 2007 to 2023. Also, From 2022 to 2023, Montana had the third-largest percentage increase, 45%, in the number of people experiencing homelessness. (New Mexico was at 57% and New Hampshire was at 55%.)
In Bozeman, as of Jan. 25 2024 the Local social service providers held the annual “point-in-time count” on Jan. 25, which measures how many people are experiencing homelessness on that night.The data is still being finalized, but the Human Resources Development Council counted over 300 people, up from 261 last year, across Gallatin and Park counties. Family Promise’s count was double from last year, and Haven had higher numbers than last year. Bozeman Daily Chronicle
How many urban campers are there?
According to Block Biome Research, on May 15th 2024 we counted 109 campers and 31 tents. Here is a breakdown of the streets we located most urban campers on. We likely did NOT count 100% of the campers but we did our best to cover the streets we speculated that there would be camping.
Block Biome May 15th 2024 Counts
There were also 31 tents on Wheat Drive and probably around 10 near Walmart.
What makes up this camping demographic?
I have no idea. However I have a hunch that it’s not only homeless people - many of them are contractors, temp workers, and some or casual people with money that are looking to store their camper or they may be passing through town. A majority of the campers that had plates belonged to Montana, Wyoming, Idaho, Colorado, then Utah.
How much does it cost to camp?
Bozeman Hot Springs (for showers) $95/mo
Insurance - Who needs that?
Laundry - $40
Starlink Roam plan - $150
Propane - $75/mo averaged out throughout the year
Water/Sewer/Pumping - $50
The total is $410/mo or 18.5% the cost of an average Bozeman rent
Speculation as to why are there so many campers?
According to Zillow, the average house in Montana is $463,645 while the average house in Bozeman sits around $749,505. Average Bozeman rent is $2,217 for a $1,009 sq. ft. place - Rent Cafe.
Most foreman level trades are making $30/hr ($4,800/mo) while under the table could be making $20/hr or $3,200/mo. At this level of income - you’re hardly getting ahead paying traditional rents.
Trades are paid higher here than other parts of the country
Standard year lease terms are not favorable for temp workers
Bozeman’s summer climate is pleasant
Bozeman puts up with it - what are they to do? If there is not enough housing capacity (which is nobody's fault), the market who wants to reside in such location will do whatever it takes to shelter themselves.
Is the City of Bozeman being over lenient?
“To tackle this growing issue, Bozeman recently implemented a new ordinance limiting camping in the same spot to 30 days with an option for filing for an extension. There are rules about keeping camps clean, and after three warnings $25 civil penalties will be issued.
If unsanitary conditions continue, the city can clear camp 72 hours after giving notice. But some are criticizing city leaders for putting too much of a burden on the unhoused. Others feel they`re being too lenient. Mayor Terry Cunningham says the rules about where camping will be allowed will help make the situation more manageable.” -Joe Lesar from PBS Montana
Read more about the Cities Unhoused in Public Rights of Way or Ordinance 2147 on bozeman.net
Thanks for reading!
Daniel Zavadil - Author of the Bozeman Build Northern Rockies Trade News and Operator of Block Biome LLC