valley views An evolution in community T
here’s a changing sentiment going around as young people dream about their futures: buying homes with friends, sharing a cul-de-sac with loved ones, getting apartments in the same building. Ask a young person and they will likely share an idea in a similar vein. A dream of being within walking distance to those they care about, of having loved ones close by. An aspiration for community. While being able to connect through screens is certainly a modern marvel – I can’t imagine having to live through an extended quarantine without being able to see the faces of my loved ones through zoom or hear their voices over the phone – it turns out it doesn’t deliver the entire-
ty of what we need. It’s you thought of them. Accidentally dressing the missing something. same as someone you see There’s a lot we don’t every day, or saying the know about the human same thing at the same mind, but psychologists have said time as someone that only you’re close about 40% to. These of the way small eviwe communicate is dences are something vocal. There I think a lot are elements of us have to our interA Taylor’d Approach experienced, actions that but mayrun much Taylor Davison Editor, Valley Journal be haven’t deeper, that given much we can’t thought to. consciously It shows there’s a thread perceive. that’s shared between huIt sounds a little out mans, but it doesn’t seem there, but it makes sense to be able to breach the when you think about digital divide. the way this connection That’s not to say there’s shows up between people nothing to be gained who are close. An old from virtual companionfriend you haven’t talked ship. It’s most certainly to in a long time giving better than nothing and you a call the same day
can do wonders to keep feelings of isolation at bay. However, there are limits as to what can be shared in a two-dimensional space, and it doesn’t achieve the entirety of what we long for as social animals. So, what does that mean for generations that have grown up with so many virtual connections? Adaptation. Young generations may not have had access to community in the same way as older generations, but deep down they seem to know that connection is missing, and they’re actively taking strides to obtain it. Instead of doing what’s traditionally expected, establishing single-family homes and living alone, statistics from the U.S. Census Bureau show they’re
We need more housing M
ontana has been discovered. We were the second-fastest-growing state in the country last year. Our rapidly increasing population presents many challenges and opportunities, and it’s also driving a lot of unease among many of us who’ve lived here for a long time. Whether you love it or hate it, that growth looks like it’s going to keep happening for a while. We need to deal with that reality and reform many policies very quickly to respond to it, espe-
10 - February 23, 2022
Over the past year, cially when it comes to housmedian home prices ing. increased more than Buying or 20% in Missoula, renting a place more than 40% in Whitefish, more than to live is becoming more 10% in Butte and Sen. Greg Hertz, expensive and more than 25% in SD 6 more difficult Bozeman. Homelesswith each passing month. Even ness in Montana increased by rural parts of the state that didn’t 16% in 2021. experience explosive growth like Housing will not get more affordable or more accessible until Bozeman and the Flathead over the root cause of the problem is the past decade are now feeling its impacts in their communities. addressed: supply. Between 2010
Legislative Notes
Valley Journal
co-buying houses with friends, they’re opting in to multigenerational homes. They’re making those dreams of community happen. None of this exists in a vacuum, of course. A lack of available starter homes and problematic inflation, the pandemic forcing people to reevaluate their priorities and navigate changing times, it’s all contributed greatly to this movement. There are restrictions now that prevent people from striking off entirely on their own. But when there is the luxury of choice, more and more people are choosing to coexist with the people they value rather than going it alone. They are deciding to create communities and keep their loved ones close. No matter how times
and 2020, Montana’s population grew by 10%, but our state only added 7% more housing units during that same timespan. In 2021, our population most likely grew at an even faster pace. Many areas in Montana need hundreds if not thousands of more homes. It is impossible for anyone or any entity to put a dent in Montana’s housing crisis without building more places for people to live. see page 11
we live in change, we’re still the same social creatures we’ve always been. When life forces us apart, we’ll always find a way to reestablish connection. Society will always course correct toward togetherness.
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