Housing

The Missoula City Council Monday approved sweeping new rules for residential development within the city. The major overhaul will allow developers to build more and larger apartment complexes, and loosen rules for how many housing units can sit on a single plot, among other changes.

The state Board of Housing Wednesday announced nearly $40 million in federal tax benefits to build or rehabilitate affordable homes; The Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission will hold its biannual season-setting meeting for big game species from elk to bison to mountain lions on December 4; Billings has a new representative in the state Legislature.

A long-dormant property along the Clark Fork River in Missoula could soon be home to luxury apartments, restaurants, shops, a hotel and rooftop bar. The project’s developer is moving forward after his business partner was criminally charged for wire fraud.

Most Montana homeowners should see a drop in property taxes after sweeping tax reforms go into effect this year. Renters, however, could see the cost of living rise after lawmakers made a mistake reforming property taxes.

Low-income Montanans receiving federal housing assistance are having better luck finding rentals. A state study led to an increase in the amount of funding families receive.

Seniors are one of the fastest growing homeless populations, but most homeless shelters aren’t equipped to help with specialized needs. MTPR's Aaron Bolton visited a shelter for seniors in Utah to see if their model could work in Montana.

The city of Missoula is weeks away from finalizing new rules expanding how many homes, apartments and businesses can be built on land within the city.

President Donald Trump wants cities and states to force homeless people with substance use and mental health conditions into treatment. Some homeless advocates in Montana are criticizing the move.

The median home value across the state rose by two thirds in the last 4 years. Montana Free Press’ Eric Dietrich crunched the numbers and joined MTPR’s Elinor Smith to break them down.

Montana policymakers made housing affordability a top issue at the statehouse, but mobile home park residents feel left out. After three legislative sessions of asking for more tenant protections, there’s been little change to the law. Residents are facing rent hikes and insecurity as parks are sold, often to out-of-state buyers.