Despite overwhelming evidence that affordable housing stabilizes low-income families, supports a child’s ability to learn, and reduces income inequality in the economy, Montana does not invest state resources in affordable housing. Increasing state and federal investment will alleviate hardship among hardworking Montanans and build sustainable and prosperous communities that benefit all our neighbors.
The Montana Budget and Policy Center’s Housing Affordability Map is an interactive online resource that provides seven indicators of housing affordability and renter populations in each of Montana’s 56 counties. These indicators are: percent of households that rent; poverty rate for renter households; fair market rent for a two-bedroom rental; rental amount considered affordable for households living below poverty; number of work hours needed to afford fair market rent; supply of affordable rental units; and households living below poverty with high rental cost burden.
This tool presents a snapshot of housing needs across the state and will help community members, advocates, and policymakers advance policy solutions that ensure every Montanan has a home.