An in-depth study of housing issues in Sanders and Mineral Counties is moving forward this week under the guidance of George “Buddy” Borden of GB Consulting.

The firm was contracted under the guidance of local economic development and housing organizations working as part of the Western Rural Development Region coalition led by Lake County Community Development.

The study is a result of public hearings and meetings with businesses across all sectors, schools, hospitals and others who identified the lack of affordable housing for our local workforce as a significant hindrance to growth and development.

The study is designed to help quantify the issue. The results of the study will not only identify what is here, now; but through interviews with residents, local officials, employers and employees, developers, property owners, realtors and others, seek to find what is needed.

The study will also identify various options and resources available for funding the development of such housing, including various innovative private investment funds, advantages of building in the named Opportunity Zones, and tax credit programs as well as public funding including grants and loans.

Facts and figures will demonstrate the need, define the opportunity for developers and provide a map of possible implementation.

The Study Team Leaders include: Jen Kreiner, Executive Director with Sanders County Economic Development, Lisa Fried de Reyes, Executive Director of Sanders County Housing, and Emily Park, Executive Director of Mineral County Economic Development.

A Community Action Team composed of 10-12 persons from throughout the two counties, including developers, employers, local governments and others, has been formed to help guide the process, which is expected to take three months to complete.

Originally planned to begin with a week long, in-person series of meetings and interviews this week, due to the COVID-19 situation, it was determined to start the process – virtually – and complete the on-site work in late May–July.

The final results along with an action plan will be available to the public at the end of the summer.

The immediate plan is to initiate a series of surveys over the next few weeks. First to assessors and those who can help quantify what exists; then to an initial group of realtors, builders, property managers and others.

The surveys will be sent out by GB Consulting, and followed up with phone interviews. An on-line meeting will be held with the task force at the end of April to discuss both the initial responses and the extensive research that is being done by Borden and his team, as well as to identify the more exhaustive list of study components that need to be addressed.

“We are reaching out to potential stakeholders in our local communities to introduce the project and request their involvement,” Jen Kreiner, Executive Director of SCCDC and current Team Leader said. “Information gleaned from these participants will be key to developing an accurate assessment and relevant action plan that involves both public and private investment. It’s a big step in the right direction, and the first one we need to address major housing concerns in our rural communities.”

For those seeking to contribute, team leaders may be reached by email as follows:

- Jen Kreiner, Executive Director Sanders County Community Development Corporation at sccdc@ronan.net;

- Lisa Fried de Reyes, Executive Director, Sanders County Community Housing Org. scchotfed@gmail.com

- Emily Park, Executive Director, Mineral County Economic Development emily.park@montana.edu