Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Montana's housing isn't keeping pace with its population growth

House sold sign
Phototreat/Getty Images/iStockphoto
/
iStock
House sold sign

New housing construction isn’t keeping pace with Montana’s growing population. That’s according to research from the Pew Charitable Trusts presented to Montana lawmakers Monday in a committee studying the state’s long-term changing economics and demographics.

Pew finds that Montana’s population increased 10% during the last decade but new housing during that same time increased 7%. Low housing supply is reducing affordable places to live, and Pew reports rising rents are linked to growing homelessness.

According to the analysis, homelessness in Montana has increased by more than 34% since 2007.

Corin Cates-Carney was the Montana Public Radio news director from early 2020 to mid 2025 after spending more than five years living and reporting across Western and Central Montana.
Become a sustaining member for as low as $5/month
Make an annual or one-time donation to support MTPR
Pay an existing pledge or update your payment information