Grand Opening of Montana's First New Public Housing Since 1994!

The Missoula Housing Authority recently celebrated the Grand Opening of Montana's first newly constructed public housing since 1994.

Located at 2205 S. 9th Street West, abutting Franklin Park and a scenic irrigation ditch, the development provides two 1-bedroom units, two 2-bedroom units and two 3-bedroom units that fit the character of the surrounding single family homes and provide a great location for families. Situated close to schools, recreation (including the new splash deck improvements at Franklin Park) and shopping opportunities, many services are within walking distance of the housing development.

Low-income applicants for housing are carefully screened by the Missoula Housing Authority. If selected, they pay thirty percent of their adjusted income towards rent, with the rest coming from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. With no shortage of applicants, all six units were filled several days after the grand opening.

Peter Hance, Executive Director of the Missoula Housing Authority, stated at the grand opening that "As our single family public housing units get older and are more difficult to maintain with dwindling housing assistance, we continue to strive to build units that are energy efficient and financially viable to stand on their own. Because the 9th Street site is relatively dense and energy efficient, there are numerous cost savings for the Housing Authority and to the residents who are fortunate to be selected to live in the development. And, we are quite proud of how our development blends with the community. We think we have some of the most attractive units in the neighborhood. No one will see them as traditional public housing."

The Missoula Housing Authority owns, manages and maintains over 170 public housing units throughout the Missoula area, including both single-family homes and apartment buildings. Recently they have partnered with local non-profits to build transitional and permanent housing units for homeless families and individuals and soon will break ground on a senior development funded through HUD's Section 202 Supportive Housing Program for the Elderly. Their very ambitious five-year plan is being implemented through creative financing that includes both public and private sector support and the creation of their own $4M development fund that is used for project planning, gap financing, and construction.

###