Tester secures funding to combat housing shortage
Funding will support converting property from rentals to shared home ownership in Missoula.
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News from the office of Senator Tester
U.S. SENATE — In his continued effort to expand affordable housing access in Montana, Senator Tester recently secured $500,000 for NeighborWorks Montana to combat the affordable housing shortage in Missoula. This funding awarded through the Shared Equity Housing Initiative will be used to support the conversion of a 14-unit property to resident ownership.
This funding is awarded to NeighborWorks organizations to promote home ownership initiatives and aid in community development.
“The lack of affordable housing is one of the most pressing issues facing our state,” said Tester. “Home ownership opens doors and keeps folks from moving out of the rural communities that power the Treasure State, so I’m proud to have secured this award for NeighborWorks Montana to continue expanding housing opportunities in Missoula and beyond. I’ll keep working with folks on the ground to make home ownership a reality for every Montanan.”
Tester has been Montana’s leading champion for rural housing accessibility. In April of 2021, Tester secured more than $15 million in U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) funding through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) to support affordable housing construction, purchasing, and rehabilitation for low- and very low income- families. Tester was the only member of the Montana delegation to vote in support of this funding.
In January of 2021, he secured a commitment from HUD Secretary Marcia Fudge that she would work to break down silos preventing affordable housing for Montana workers and Tribes from being built and maintained.
