Montana Public Radio

housing

State Says Montana Rental Assistance Program Largely Unused

By & Amy Beth Hanson • Aug 3, 2020
Residents in Kalispell asked for more affordable housing as well as programs for kdis and seniors November 2 at the annual community needs assessment meeting.
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Montana set aside $50 million in federal coronavirus relief funding to help people make their rent or mortgage payments during the economic upheaval caused by coronavirus. But through the end of July the program has paid out just over $1.2 million, about 2.4% of the available funds, state figures show.

Tenants Worried About Montana's Emergency Housing Assistance Backlog

By • Jul 7, 2020


It’s the start of the month, which means housing payments are due for many Montanans. Amid the economic fallout of the novel coronavirus pandemic, there doesn’t yet appear to be large spikes in evictions and foreclosures. But state officials are still having trouble distributing federal housing relief dollars to the people who need them.

Driven By Low Supply, Missoula Housing Prices Continue To Grow

By • May 1, 2020
Median home prices in Missoula, MT, 2010-2019

A new report shows Missoula’s growing population, combined with a tight housing supply continues to drive high demand and ever higher home prices.

Housing prices may dip in the short term due to the ongoing novel coronavirus pandemic. The long-term effects on real estate are still unclear.

Affordable Housing Group Expands To Columbia Falls

By • Apr 28, 2020
Roof construction
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A Kalispell-based affordable housing nonprofit is expanding into neighboring Columbia Falls, where home prices are on the rise.

The Northwest Montana Community Land Trust owns about 54 properties in the Kalispell area. The trust says it maintains ownership of the land in order to sell homes to low-income families at an affordable price.

Montana Launches Housing Assistance Program For Families Affected By COVID-19

By • Apr 17, 2020

 

The Montana Department of Commerce announced Friday that families who have suffered substantial financial hardship as a result of COVID-19 may now apply for rental and security deposit assistance.

Tips For Avoiding Rental Scams During COVID-19 Outbreak

By • Apr 6, 2020

Rental scams in Montana and across the U.S. have been on the rise for years, but COVID-19’s slow-down of in-person property viewings and interactions with landlords may make it even harder for people to figure out what’s legitimate online.

Yellowstone Plans Employee Housing Upgrades

By • Feb 20, 2020
Among other upgrades, Yellowstone Park plans to replace 64 trailers that were built between 1960 and 1983. The park says those trailers, that annually house up to 100 employees, are extremely substandard.
Yellowstone National Park

Yellowstone National Park has unveiled a major initiative to upgrade employee housing, which park officials say is long overdue.

About half of Yellowstone National Park’s 800 employees live in park housing. Park spokeswoman Morgan Warthin describes the quality of that housing as, “Fair to poor.”

First Round Of Montana Loans For Affordable Housing Announced

By • Feb 11, 2020

The Montana Department of Commerce announced Feb. 11 that four towns will receive state funding to support development and rehabilitation of affordable rental homes.

Missoula, Montana, Grapples With A Housing Affordability Crisis

By editor • Dec 9, 2019

Midsize cities in the western U.S. are facing a housing crunch. 

Bozeman Releases Draft Community Housing Plan For Public Comment

By • Nov 8, 2019

Montana’s fastest growing city is moving one step closer on a plan intended to tackle affordable housing.

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