The Montana Department of Commerce announced last week that Columbia Falls was one of several communities statewide to receive grants to build affordable senior housing.

The Montana Board of Housing announced an $8.5 million grant to build 29 apartments on land currently owned by the Catholic Church.

The project is called Glacier View Senior and was endorsed by city leaders.

“The city has strongly supported this project throughout the application process because Columbia Falls needs a broader range of housing options. We appreciate Housing Solutions LLC’s research and investment in our community, which helped position the project for selection by the Montana Board of Housing through the highly competitive Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program,” said City Manager Eric Hanks.

He said they would start planning meetings with the developers this week.

Developer Housing Solutions has built 400 units of senior housing in other cities in Montana, Wyoming and North Dakota, including Kalispell, Missoula and Bozeman.

The project will 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 Columbia Falls City Council in May endorsed the project and sent a letter of support to the Board of Housing.

The project was one of several that were approved by the state Department of Commerce. They included similar projects in Missoula, Butte and Havre and totaled $40 million.

The project dovetails into senior housing that is nearby. Teakettle Vista is a subdivision of small one-story apartments. 

It was built about 20 years ago just to the south on 12th Avenue West.