News

You won’t want to miss the 2020 Montana Housing Conference in Helena! This is the premier conference that brings together everyone from across that state who works with housing, healthcare, community development and revitalization, and human services.

Planning has begun and this year’s conference promises to be packed with opportunities for networking, professional growth, and in-depth discussions. Sessions will include helpful information about housing, homelessness, health and housing, strengthening our communities, and so much more.

Watch for upcoming announcements about conference registration, lodging, and event activities.

Please join us in supporting a very special project at the Missouri Meadows resident owned community (ROC), in Great Falls, Montana. Our goal is to raise $4,000 to create a building where co-op meetings can be held, and community engagement activities can be centered at.

In 2011, Missouri Meadows took the exciting steps to become a ROC, but what does that mean? By working with NeighborWorks Montana through the ROC USA network, the residents of Missouri Meadows were able to purchase the park. This ownership gives the residents housing stability and eliminates the fear of being evicted without cause. Resident-owned communities preserve an important source of unsubsidized affordable housing for working families, seniors and people with low incomes. In most places in Montana, owning a home in such a community is about half as expensive as renting an apartment.

Why is this project important? Part of what makes ROCs so successful is the comradery and sense of belonging that comes with being part of a group. This ROC has had many hurdles to overcome since becoming a co-op, and they have not had a great deal of time to focus on tools that can strengthen the bonds of their community. Having what has been named the “Community Cottage” would provide them a place of their own to hold confidential meetings, enjoy events that bring the residents together, and have secure storage for shared park resources.

This is a great group of folks who value their homes, neighbors, and community. Over the years they have improved their park by adding a community garden, outdoor community bulletin board, and they are currently working to complete a playground and replace their septic system. Now NWMT is working with them to create this space and take steps to ensure the sustainability of their community. With your partnership, we can get them started on this project, and give the residents of Missouri Meadows the tools for a strong neighborhood.

We will be keeping this fundraiser open through December 17, 2019 to give everyone plenty of time to participate.

There are two easy ways to give: OUR WEBSITE OR FACEBOOK

The US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has awarded NeighborWorks Montana $443,184. NeighborWorks Montana is the only direct HUD grantee in the state of Montana receiving the HUD housing counseling grant and will disburse that money to its partner network of 15 community organizations across the state delivering housing education and counseling services to Montanans.

The HUD housing counseling and education money benefits Montanans who might not otherwise be able to achieve the goal of homeownership. In 2011, at 33 years old, Lori found herself in a situation she never thought she would be in – she was a single mom of three young boys with a significant amount of debt and a lack of hope for her future. She realized she wanted more for herself than living with her kids in a basement apartment. This realization set her on an 8-year journey toward homeownership. Lori got a couple of jobs and did everything she could to make ends meet. It took several years, but she paid off $20,000 of debt, got a 2-bedroom apartment, and continued to save as much as she possibly could. Earlier this year, Lori found herself in a position where she was finally able to start thinking about purchasing a home. Her lender Lynn Stenerson at Stockman Bank recommended the first-time homebuyer class at Homeword. Lori said, “Between my lender Lynn, and Julie Pavlish at Homeword, owning a home became an attainable goal. I suppose I just needed it broken into manageable pieces, and that’s what my homebuyer education class did for me. It’s been 8 years since I started out with less than nothing, and now here I am. I own my own home. For me, buying this house is a very tangible marker of how far I’ve come, and what I am capable of. I think we all need those tangible markers sometimes and a few people to help us along the way.”

Kaia Peterson, NeighborWorks Montana’s Assistant Director said, “As the price of homes in many Montana markets continues to rise, homeownership feels increasingly out of reach. Fortunately, with quality education and counseling, and affordable financing homeownership is actually still within reach for people like Lori and so many others across the state. Housing counseling and education is vital to keeping homeownership accessible, available and attainable for all Montanans, and this funding is critical to sustain that program. We encourage anyone interested in becoming a homeowner to contact one of our housing partners and access all of the great resources available to anyone working toward achieving this goal.”

Learn more about our partner network.

NeighborWorks Montana (NWMT) is looking for two new teams members to join our work family! Both positions require someone who is detail-oriented, has excellent customer service skills, and is motivated to help others. When you work for NWMT, you help change lives across our state!

Click here to check out both of these great opportunities! 

Administrative Assistant
This position is located in Great Falls.

Housing Network Assistant
This position is open, preferably in Missoula, but other Montana locations will be considered.

There are great two homes currently available for purchase in Billings.

Both homes include:

• 1,120 square feet
• Zero entry (no steps)
• Two bedrooms with walk-in master closet
• Two bathrooms
• Oversized single car garage
• Vaulted ceilings
• Patio with small backyard
• Many energy efficient and durable components
• Disability accessible and adaptable
• Developed specifically for first-time homebuyers
• Sweat equity will help bring down the cost of the home
• Downpayment and mortgage buydown assistance available for eligible buyers

Take a virtual tour:

• 5336 – https://www.propertypanorama.com/instaview/bmt/291044
• 5338 – https://www.propertypanorama.com/instaview/bmt/291043

Come check these amazing towns homes out, and be sure to ask about available loan programs, as well how the sweat equity works!

Please Mary Lou Affleck with NeighborWorks Montana at 406-670-9100, or by email [email protected]. You can also contact our listing agent, Ryan Auer with Montana Real Estate Brokers, at 406-850-2011 or [email protected].