Ekalaka Gets Help, Cleans Up Town

In the autumn of 2002, the Montana State Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program awarded a Housing Grant to the Town of Ekalaka. The town wanted to demolish severely distressed homes, and make energy conservation-related rehabilitation to homes owned by low to moderate-income residents. Ekalaka, a small town found in southeastern Montana near the North Dakota border has a population of 410. The town experienced a 38% population decrease since 1970, resulting in many unsightly, vacant and decaying homes scattered throughout the town. This created health hazards and discouraged reinvestment in homes and businesses.

Clean up was not easy. First, the Montana State Historical Preservation Office was unwilling to approve the many scattered site demolitions the town was proposing. Work could not begin until completion of a historical inventory. The CDBG program provided $23,430 and the citizens of Ekalaka provided property photographs and verbal histories to help a consultant complete the historical inventory. So far, the city has demolished 32 buildings in Ekalaka and has planted grass and trees on the vacant lots. Many demolitions occurred on Main Street, visibly improving the heart of the community.

Compliance with lead-based paint (LBP) requirements is an issue for all communities in Montana, especially small communities that lack the resources for compliance. Ekalaka found an LBP consultant from nearby Dickenson, North Dakota to assess the homes slated for energy improvements and for the presence of LBP. The consultant coached and supervised local contractors in safe LBP stabilization. Subsequently, some of the local contractors attended LBP training and have become licensed to carry out the work without supervision. By directly testing all peeling paint for lead, the town saved money, as only those areas in homes that tested positive for LBP needed stabilization. Ekalaka's "can do" attitude was recognized by HUD's Regional Environmentalist, Howard Kutzer as "an excellent national model for achieving compliance with lead-based paint requirements for a small community." Ekalaka has now completed rehabilitation on 19 homes. Energy saving improvements and weatherization is now providing long-term benefits for low and moderate-income residents in Ekalaka. The Town has closed out its first grant and is now ready to apply for another to continue the demolition and rehabilitation projects to improve their community.

Montana's Consolidated Plan (http://commerce.state.mt.us/housing/Hous_CP.asp)

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