Community members discuss affordable housing

When it comes to affordable housing, the options are limited in Sanders County

Patrick Malone of Community Action Partnership of Northwest Montana (CAPNM) led a discussion among about 30 community members and agency representatives Nov. 14 at the state building in Thompson Falls. The group discussed the needs in Sanders County, as well as possible solutions.

Malone detailed the needs of the county, highlighting that more than 40 percent of renters in Sanders County live in poverty, meaning they earn less than $20,000 a year. Malone also noted that while the average home sale price increased almost 25 percent in Sanders County from 2014 to 2016 ($171,809 to $212,498), average wages only increased 5.5 percent ($29,328 per year to $30,940).

The Montana Budget and Policy Center (MBPC) conducted statewide research on affordable housing last year. The center considers affordable housing to be not more than 30 percent of a person’s or household’s income being spent on rent and utilities. MBPC found that 82.2 percent of Sanders County households who rent and are living in poverty were paying more than 30 percent on rent and utilities. Malone also looked at housing available for purchase in the area as of Nov. 6-8, 2018, and found that to purchase a home in Sanders County, a household would need a wage of $21 per hour.

“The problem is going to get worse,” said Ernie Scherzer with the Sanders County Community Housing Organization (SCCHO). He told the group that SCCHO has been gifted land in the Noxon area to build additional affordable housing, but they still need funding and skilled laborers to get the units built. SCCHO currently has 10 units in Plains, and said that there are 22 affordable housing units owned by Dave Bennett in Thompson Falls

Many of those at the roundtable Nov. 14 expressed that there is a greater need for permanent solutions rather than transitional housing in Sanders County.

One alternative presented by CAPNM and Malone is a tiny home village. The tiny homes presented at the Sanders County roundtable included homes with a sleeping area and desk, with services such as bathrooms and kitchens in a common central building. While attendees to the roundtable agreed that housing was needed, the consensus was that stand-alone houses or apartments would be a better solution for Sanders County.

Jason Moore, with the Pablo HUB Project, said that his group is working on an affordable housing project and has been in contact with local contractors to use furniture and fixtures from commercial remodels in tiny home projects.

Thompson Falls resident Gunner Junge said the roundtable was a good first step in addressing the affordable housing issue, noting that educating the public is one of the biggest hurdles. “This is a major step to get the ball rolling.”

With the roundtable completed, Malone said he will present feedback to the CAPNM board. Thompson Falls City Council member Lynne Kersten suggested also presenting findings to local city councils.

The group at the state building in Thompson Falls was motivated to take action. “We want to keep this momentum going,” said Kathy Regier, an advocate with Sanders County Coalition For Families.

For more information, visit http://www.capnm.com.