Housing in Montana

In the past 5 years, Montana's average home price has gone up 71%, while the average income has only increased 25%. The lack of housing, and that which is attainable for working class residents, is creating a crisis for residents, employers, local economies, public health, community well-being...everything. In this episode, we hear from seven people all working in different areas of this topic around Montana, and we aim to provide information and perspectives that encourage us to have more nuanced and proactive outlooks and responses to this topic. We also shine a light on creative actions taking place around the state, and share resources for folks feeling the pressures directly.

Of course the pressures of increased housing costs is something being felt around the country, and around the globe...so no matter where you call home, there is a wealth of information shared in this episode that can be applied to other regions. This episode is longer than most of ours, so of course feel free to listen in segments as you wish.

This episode was generously supported by Headwaters Foundation, working side-by-side with Western Montanans to improve the health of our communities. They say, "We believe that housing is part of the foundation for a healthier, more equitable future." Learn more at www.headwatersmt.org.

Thank you to Shauni Seccombe for research and editing support on this episode.

LINKS:

Shelter WF

Governor's Housing Task Force

Trust Montana

Stories for Action podcast featuring Trust Montana

North Missoula Community Development Corporation

HomeFront Billings

Bespoke of Montana

Habitat for Humanity chapters serving Montana

Beyond Building - regenerative design & education in Montana

Engage Whitefish

Montana Association of Counties, about growth policies 

State Grants for communities to adopt/update a Growth Policy

Montana Growth Policy Resource Book

NeighborWorks Montana

NeighborWorks Great Falls

Native Homeownership Coalition

Montana Native Growth Fund - financing

Great Northern Development Corporation

Action for Eastern Montana

MEIC - Montana Environmental Information Center

HRDC - Human Resource Development Center

Emergency Housing Voucher (EHV) Program

Montana Emergency Rental Assistance (MERA) Program

The Housing