Columbia Falls could see an affordable senior housing project in its future.

The city council last week approved sending a letter of support for a potential project on a parcel of land owned by St. Richard Catholic Church.

Housing Solutions, which has built 400 units of senior housing in other cities in Montana, Wyoming and North Dakota, including Kalispell, Missoula and Bozeman, is looking to build a 29-unit complex in Columbia Falls.

The project, if its successful, would be financed through Montana Housing, a division of the state Department of Commerce.

The project would consist of one building, with 20 one-bedroom apartments and nine two bedroom apartments. It would serve low income seniors 55-plus with starting rents at $540 a month, depending on income.

One unit would be a manager’s office.

Each unit includes a washer/dryer, kitchen appliances and an elevator to reach the upper floors of the three-story building.

The city council noted it the project fits in with the city’s housing study and needs in the community.

“I think  it’s great we have an opportunity to offer low income housing for seniors in our community,” said councilwoman Kathryn Price.

Mayor Don Barnhart agreed.

“We enthusiastically endorse it,” he said.

There was one concern however, Community Market Director Melissa Ellis wondered how it might impact access to the market, as the preliminary plan would have the housing accessing Veterans Drive, rather than 12th Avenue West, which could cut off access to the market.

But City Manager Eric Hanks said the concerns were premature, as the plan would have to be fully vetted and the project is in the early stages as funding hasn’t even been secured yet.