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Conference tackles Eastern Montana housing shortage

"A lot of times it’s just about talking together," Montana Board of Housing Marketing and Web Specialist Penny Cope said during her speech at the Eastern Plains Housing Conference Tuesday.

The conference, which took place at Hungry Joe Hall, brought several housing representatives from all over the state together to talk about the unique housing issues facing the areas during a time when oil and gas are bringing in growth, change and people.

By Charlie Denison
Ranger-Review Staff Writer

"There’s a whole lot going on all at once," Executive Director of the Eastern Plains Economic Development Corporation Jason Rittal said. "And it’s happening right now."

Rittal, who put a lot of time into making this event happen with his assistant, Elizabeth Smith, said he thinks similar types of conferences are something that should happen more often. It gives people a chance to put ideas together and find the best ways to welcome a potential boom, he said.

"The answer is here," he said. "With these challenges come great opportunities."
Southeastern Montana Development Corporation Executive Director Jim Atchison couldn’t agree more.

During a panel of speakers and proactive community members from Prairie County and Richland County and other areas in the region, Atchison expressed his hope for a regional expert to take the reins.

"If I had a magic wand, I’d create a region-wide housing authority," he said.

Following the panel, Atchison said there are people in the region who could create such a housing authority and, if events like the one Tuesday continue to take place, more can be done.

That doesn’t mean, however, that it will be easy.

"There are a lot of complicated issues, regulations, pricings," he said. "Right now, there is more demand than supply. Supply has not caught up."

According to research recorded by the Montana Department of Commerce, by 2025 Dawson County needs an estimated 1,896 new housing units to be created. Right now, it is difficult for many people to find housing they can afford, if they can find it at all.

Richland County Realtor Leif Anderson said he often deals with people from tough situations with bad credit, as well as people who cannot find anything they want and just go back to where they came from.

"Housing issues are very complex," Anderson told the 60-plus in attendance. "There are a lot of details and a lot of problems to consider.

Anderson also deals with those who cannot find housing they consider acceptable.
"More than a few times, I show [people] what’s available and, on our way back to the office, there are tears in their eyes," Anderson said.

To find a housing situation that fits the common person is difficult, Cope said during her speech, and the mission of the Montana Board of Housing is to help them find the place they need.
"We want to create affordable housing opportunities whose needs are not met by the market," she said.

In an attempt to make this easier for those looking for housing, a new website has been developed. Cope strongly recommends trying http://www.mthousingsearch.com.

Improvements are being made, Cope said, but much more needs to be done. Cope said she will continue to keep dialogue going with interested parties in the region.

"Let’s try to get everyone together and solve these problems," she said.

Reach Charlie Denison at [email protected].

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