Housing - Let's Talk About It
Montana faces housing shortages, rising costs, and affordability challenges, impacting both homeowners and renters. Addressing these issues requires concerted efforts from policymakers, developers, and communities.
In 2021, the number of people experiencing homelessness in Montana rose by 16% compared to the previous year. Over 1,100 people used emergency shelters, transitional housing, or other temporary settings. For more information, see Homelessness Increase in MT - Montana Public Radio, February 8, 2022
What should be done and who can do it? Read further.
The Ravalli Democratic Committee believes Affordable Housing is a Crisis
The Ravalli Democratic Committee supports:
- Increased investment in affordable, quality housing for all Montanans
- Repurposing existing buildings within communities to provide affordable housing
- Offering tax breaks and incentives to developers to create affordable housing
- Provide subsidies and grants to low-income individuals and families to assist with housing costs
Montana Republicans have a Poor Record on the Homelessness Crisis
A letter signed by Flathead County commissioners called homelessness a ‘lifestyle’ and blamed a Kalispell shelter for the increasing number of people on the streets.
Flathead Republican commissioners alleged that the homeless population in the Flathead Valley is growing because of services being offered in the area, including a low-barrier shelter that opened in 2019.
See Flathead County Commission on homeless for more information.
Representative Tanner Smith, R-Lakeside, advocated for spending millions on bus tickets for the homeless, “because they’re not the ones we want to help.”
Representative Neil Duram, R-Eureka, called homelessness an “inconvenience”
See Montana Republicans on homeless for more information.
Montana has an Affordable Housing Crisis that Must be Addressed
Montana’s home values have surged significantly. From the first half of 2020 to June 2022:
- Typical home values increased by 50%, reaching an average of $446,000 compared to $296,000 in June 2020.
- Montana’s home values grew the 5th fastest among all states during the pandemic, surpassing the national average.
- Nationwide, rent increased by nearly 7% in the first half of 2022 compared to two years prior.
- Newly advertised rental unit rents have surged even faster, at a rate of 20% over the same period.
See Housing affordability in MT »
Demand for affordable housing far exceeds supply. Statewide, there are only 39 affordable housing units for every 100 households earning extremely low incomes (below 30% of area median income).
Over 30,000 applications for housing choice vouchers have been submitted, but only about 4,000 vouchers have been issued.
