KALISPELL, Mont. — Flathead County commissioners saw a community push Tuesday morning to approve a funding match to allow an investment for affordable housing.
House Bill 819 was signed into law in 2023 and was designed to prioritize workforce housing in the state. It allows counties to put money toward affordable housing, but only with a community reinvestment organization designated to match the funding.
It’s up to Flathead County commissioners to vote on a partnership that is needed for the bill. So far that has not happened, leading to backlash from the community.
“Approving this funding supports the people who keeps our communities running,” said Flathead County resident Scott Mergenthaler. “Workers who deserve to have a place to call home here in Flathead.”
The Flathead County housing market rose significantly, making it hard for some Montana residents to afford to live in the county.
“Fixing a housing crisis will take time for the market to catch up, but the reality is people need help now, and I would rather see working people, even if it’s not ideal, to be able to stay in the county,” said Whitefish resident Dakota Whitman.
Flathead County received $4.5 million, resulting in a total of $9 million with a CRO match fund. If the CRO is not approved, the money will be sent to other counties around the state.
“This red dot, this red county, sticks out like a sore thumb, and it’s an embarrassment that we have the second highest housing crisis here, and yet we are not moving forward with a helping program,” said Erica Wirtala, supporter of House Bill 819.
Officials in the Flathead are urging the commissioners to at least put House Bill 819 on the agenda.
“I challenge the commissioners to put this on the agenda, look people in the eye and cast your vote on how you should be casting your vote,” said Kalispell Mayor Mark Johnson. “We didn’t elect you to avoid issues and sit on the sidelines.”
Commissioners have no meetings currently scheduled for the end of the month, however they have until Dec. 31 to sign off on a partnership.
NBC Montana previously reported that NeighborWorks Montana, a program that helps Montanans obtain affordable rentals and buy homes, said they would be willing to be Flathead County’s CRO.
“We’ve provided down payment loans assistant loans for home buyers for almost 25 years now,” said Kaia Peterson, executive director for NeighborWorks Montana. “We know it’s a proven method for helping people who otherwise wouldn’t have an opportunity to become homeowners.”