In 2024, residents of Spring Creek Mobile Park were given an eviction notice when the park was put under new ownership with plans to bring in new homes and develop the property up out of the flood plain. NeighborWorks Montana and Whitefish Community Foundation came together to support residents and raise money for a relocation fund, recognizing the strain this was putting on residents and the impact it could have on demand for already overburdened social services.
As of June 2025, all 26 households were successfully relocated in a variety of new housing situations. Each household was allocated up to $5,000 in relocation assistance and worked with NeighborWorks Montana to create a custom plan for using the funds to relocate out of the park over the coming year. Many residents expressed fear around homelessness, displacement from Kalispell and the Flathead Valley, and the heavy financial burden of the unexpected move. Funds were administered directly to vendors for expenses like security deposits and rent payments, down payment for purchase of a home or RV, and storage unit rent for furnishings during relocation.
“Without the relocation funds, I would have been stuck in place receiving eviction notices I could do nothing about,” expressed a former Spring Creek resident. Many still fear what the future holds as they continue to navigate the stress and strain on their health, social connections, and financial security because of the eviction and relocation process. Residents valued the financial assistance and the trusted relationship with NeighborWorks Montana staff.
“Because of this program, no households ended up unhoused—a huge win in a situation that could have had far worse outcomes,” stated Danielle Bundrock, Cooperative Housing Director at NeighborWorks Montana.
The collaborative approach was the bedrock of this relocation initiative’s success. NeighborWorks Montana could not have taken this on without Whitefish Community Foundation holding the relocation fund and seeding it with a $45,000 Emergency Response Grant. “We were inspired by how quickly the community came together to support these families. This effort reflects the kind of compassion and generosity that defines the Flathead Valley,” says Alan Davis President and CEO of Whitefish Community Foundation. “We are grateful to the donors whose generosity ensured that every household had a safe place to land.” And although $5,000 in housing assistance can only stretch so far, especially in the Flathead area, these funds kept many residents from experiencing homelessness.
Spring Creek Relocation Assistance Study
