A Place to Call Home: Meeting Missoula's Housing Needs

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A Place to Call Home housing policy cover art; city scene with parks and playground

Missoula's City Council adopted "A Place to Call Home" in June of 2019. This citywide housing policy proposes over two dozen individual strategies to address increasing housing costs in Missoula. As the City works through implementation of these specific policies and programs, we want to keep in touch with the community and continually get your feedback. Leave your thoughts on this page about housing in Missoula, respond to quick polls, and check back for updates on the policy implementation.

Background

In the past several years, Missoula has seen remarkable growth in its economy and population. This growth and vitality, however, has brought challenges. Home prices have steadily increased in recent years, outpacing wage growth and causing many Missoulians to find it challenging to afford safe and healthy homes. From young families to retirees, more than half of Missoulians can’t afford to participate in the increasingly expensive housing market.

Missoula's citywide housing policy proposes a fundamental shift in how housing is prioritized within the City of Missoula, as well as a commitment to long-term funding of housing initiatives. Collectively, the recommendations contained in the policy compose a thorough strategy that will support the market while ensuring long-term affordability and preservation. The housing policy recognizes that neighborhoods have unique needs and that as we grow as a community we must develop thoughtfully, in a way that is sustainable and equitable, while maintaining community quality. Throughout this growth, no neighborhood should be asked to experience radical change. Consequently, no neighborhood should be exempt from change either.


Missoula's City Council adopted "A Place to Call Home" in June of 2019. This citywide housing policy proposes over two dozen individual strategies to address increasing housing costs in Missoula. As the City works through implementation of these specific policies and programs, we want to keep in touch with the community and continually get your feedback. Leave your thoughts on this page about housing in Missoula, respond to quick polls, and check back for updates on the policy implementation.

Background

In the past several years, Missoula has seen remarkable growth in its economy and population. This growth and vitality, however, has brought challenges. Home prices have steadily increased in recent years, outpacing wage growth and causing many Missoulians to find it challenging to afford safe and healthy homes. From young families to retirees, more than half of Missoulians can’t afford to participate in the increasingly expensive housing market.

Missoula's citywide housing policy proposes a fundamental shift in how housing is prioritized within the City of Missoula, as well as a commitment to long-term funding of housing initiatives. Collectively, the recommendations contained in the policy compose a thorough strategy that will support the market while ensuring long-term affordability and preservation. The housing policy recognizes that neighborhoods have unique needs and that as we grow as a community we must develop thoughtfully, in a way that is sustainable and equitable, while maintaining community quality. Throughout this growth, no neighborhood should be asked to experience radical change. Consequently, no neighborhood should be exempt from change either.


  • Join the Affordable Housing Resident Oversight Committee!

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    The Affordable Housing Resident Oversight Committee (AHROC) is recruiting a voting member with lived expertise. For this role, lived expertise is defined as someone who is currently receiving support in accessing or maintaining their housing and/or has received support in the last two years. It is the determination of the applicant if they meet the criteria. This role is for a term effective upon appointment through May 31, 2024.

    The Affordable Housing Resident Oversight Committee was created in 2020 to advise on, support and recommend key strategies, including the implementation of the City’s adopted housing policy, A Place to Call Home. One project the AHROC works closely with is the Affordable Housing Trust Fund. While the committee does not oversee all award making of the fund, they advise on priorities and uses of funds through the annual Allocation Plan and Reserve Balance administration. Additionally, the committee supports reaching local housing goals through policy advisement to city staff and Council.

    The AHROC has general meetings every other month (2023: February, April, June, August, October, December) on the second Tuesday of the month from 6-8pm. Committee members participate in working groups during months that do not have general meetings.

    Applications are due March 17, 2023 by 5pm.

    Committee information & application link: https://bm-public-missoula.escribemeetings.com/

    Contact Emily Harris-Shears, Harris-shearse@ci.missoula.mt.us or 406.552.6394 with questions!

  • Affordable Housing Trust Fund Allocation Plan 2023

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    The annual Allocation Plan for Program Year 2023 has been approved by Mayor Hess. The Allocation Plan, informed by the Annual Landscape Assessment, is developed by the Affordable Housing Resident Oversight Committee and approved by the mayor each year to set priorities and goals for the Affordable Housing Trust Fund investment. The Allocation Plan informs competitive award cycles and the reserve balance.

  • Unified Application Workshop Materials Posted

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    Unified Application Round Materials for Program Year 2023 and Workshop Details are Posted


    Materials and information for the Unified Application Round are now posted. Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), HOME Investment Partnership Program (HOME) and HOME American Rescue Plan Program (HOME-ARP), and Affordable Housing Trust Fund investments are available for award. Applicants can apply for individual or multiple funding sources during this competitive application round. Note: mandatory pre-applications are due January 23, 2023.


    Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME) funds are made available to the City of Missoula on an annual basis from the Federal Government through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The Affordable Housing Trust Fund was created in July of 2020 as Missoula’s local source of funding to meet the city’s urgent housing needs. The City’s CDBG, HOME, and AHTF Programs are administered by the Community Development division (CD) of the Community Planning, Development, and Innovation department.


    APPLICATION WORKSHOP

    Please join us if you are interested in applying for Community Development Block Grant, HOME Investment Partnerships Program, and/or Affordable Housing Trust Fund investments for Program Year 2023. Staff will outline funding opportunities and the application process.


    DATE: Tuesday, January 10, 2023
    TIME: 2:00 to 3:30pm

    LOCATION: Microsoft Teams Meeting

    Join on your computer, mobile app or room device

    Click here to join the meeting

    Meeting ID: 294 679 543 790
    Passcode: QtrL2P

    Download Teams | Join on the web

    Join with a video conferencing device

    185201675@t.plcm.vc

    Video Conference ID: 112 650 063 1

    Alternate VTC instructions


    Find application materials and more information about the Unified Application here.


    Please reach out to Emily Harris Shears (Harris-ShearsE@ci.missoula.mt.us), Aubrey Godbey (godbeya@ci.missoula.mt.us), Kendra Lisum (lisumk@ci.missoula.mt.us), or Karen Gasvoda (gasvodak@ci.missoula.mt.us) with any questions.

  • Inform the Affordable Housing Trust Fund Allocation Plan by December 6th!

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    CLOSED: This discussion has concluded.

    The Affordable Housing Resident Oversight Committee and the Community Development Division of Community Planning, Development & Innovation are asking for input on the draft Annual Allocation Plan. The Allocation Plan, informed by the Annual Landscape Assessment, is developed by the Affordable Housing Resident Oversight Committee and approved by the mayor each year to set priorities and goals for the Affordable Housing Trust Fund investment. The Allocation Plan informs competitive award cycles and the reserve balance. Please share your feedback by Tuesday, December 6th, 2022.

    The Affordable Housing Resident Oversight Committee(External link) will review all public comment received and finalize the Annual Allocation Plan at their monthly meeting on December 14, 2022 from 6-8pm on Teams. Meetings(External link) are public and can be streamed on the City’s website.

  • Join the Affordable Housing Resident Oversight Committee!

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    CLOSED: This discussion has concluded.

    There are two openings on the Affordable Housing Resident Oversight Committee. One for a member with lived experience and the other for a member with experience in Housing/Real Estate.

    The oversight committee’s work is broad and centers around informing implementation of the City’s adopted housing policy, A Place to Call Home. This includes setting the annual allocation plan and reviewing policies and procedures for the Affordable Housing Trust Fund. The oversight committee governs the reserve fund, set aside for urgent projects that arise outside of planned competitive funding cycle. The oversight committee does not participate in decision making for the competitive grant making cycle.

    The oversight committee is moving in an exciting direction, setting their focus and identifying their influence for impact for the next few years. Members will participate in a planning retreat in October, which will serve as a great time for new members to get oriented and get to know their committee colleagues. In the upcoming retreat, members will identify the frequency and length of meetings they’d like to continue with.

    Application information can be found here: http://ci.missoula.mt.us/426/Vacancies

    Applications are due by 5pm on Monday, September 26.

  • We Want to Hear from You!

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    CLOSED: This discussion has concluded.

    The Community Development Division of Community Planning, Development & Innovation is asking for input on the 2022 Administrative Policies for the Affordable Housing Trust Fund. Each year the policies and procedures are reviewed and updated as needed. Your feedback is key to strengthening the version that will go to the Affordable Housing Resident Oversight Committee later this summer for final approval. The Administrative Policies impact who can apply for funds, what projects are supported, and who benefits from the Trust Fund. Please share your feedback on the policies by Tuesday, September 13, 2022.

  • Apply for the Affordable Housing Resident Oversight Committee!

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    The Affordable Housing Resident Oversight Committee has two vacancies. Open positions are for the following roles:

    • Alternate-open to all community members. Alternate members participate actively in the committee including sharing expertise and perspective and act as a voting member when there is an absence or vacancy.
    • Community member whose household has received assistance to secure or maintain housing within the last two (2) years.

    Applications are due by 5pm on Friday, May 20, 2022. Please follow this link to view the posting, the online application and more information. If you need assistance or an accommodation to complete the application, please contact Godbeya@ci.missoula.mt.us by Thursday, May 19, 2022.

  • We want to hear from you - here’s your chance to influence where federal dollars are spent in our community!

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    CLOSED: This discussion has concluded.

    In 2021, the City of Missoula received $1.3 million in HOME-ARP funds from the Department of Housing and Urban Development. (HOME stands for the HOME Investment Partnership Program, and ARP is the American Rescue Plan).

    HOME-ARP dollars will primarily be used to address homelessness and supportive service needs in our community. This means we can fund things like developing additional rental housing, homeless shelters or transitional housing, and services that support our community like childcare, job training, housing search & counseling services, among others.

    Share your ideas for this funding through a short survey and ideas activity!

    https://www.engagemissoula.com/home-arp-funds-forum-and-survey

  • Unified Application Workshop Materials Available.

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    CLOSED: This discussion has concluded.

    Community Development staff hosted a funding workshop for the open Unified Application Round on Monday, January 10, 2022. Details about the available funding sources and the application process were provided. A recording and documents from the workshop are available in the toolbar on the right.

  • Unified Application Round Materials for Program Year 2022 and Workshop Details are Posted

    Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this link
    CLOSED: This discussion has concluded.

    Materials and information for the Unified Application Round are now posted. Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), HOME Investment Partnership Program (HOME) and Affordable Housing Trust Fund investments are available for award. Applicants can apply for individual or multiple funding sources during this competitive application round.

    Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME) funds are made available to the City of Missoula on an annual basis from the Federal Government through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The Affordable Housing Trust Fund was created in July of 2020 as Missoula’s local source of funding to meet the city’s urgent housing needs. The City’s CDBG, HOME, and AHTF Programs are administered by the Community Development division (CD) of the Community Planning, Development, and Innovation department.

    APPLICATION WORKSHOP
    Please join us if you are interested in applying for Community Development Block Grant, HOME Investment Partnerships Program, and/or Affordable Housing Trust Fund investments for Program Year 2022. Staff will outline funding opportunities and the application process.
    DATE: Monday, January 10, 2022
    TIME: 2 to 4pm
    LOCATION: Zoom; https://ci-missoula-mt.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYuf-2hrDMqHNxQop3sZHz9Fxplx54UJEeO

    Find application materials and more information about the Unified Application here.

    Please feel free to reach out to Emily Harris Shears (Harris-ShearsE@ci.missoula.mt.us), Karen Gasvoda (gasvodak@ci.missoula.mt.us), and Kendra Lisum (lisumk@ci.missoula.mt.us) with any questions.

Page last updated: 14 Feb 2023, 03:50 PM