Affordable Housing Strategies

At a glance

What: Three staff proposals presented September 9, 2026: a Building Plan Library of pre-reviewed residential plans, a City of Helena specialty license plate funding the Affordable Housing Trust Fund, and an Affordable Housing Community Showcase of two prototype homes on City land.
Where it stands: Direction only, no vote. Logan, Rigby and Mayor Dean supported moving forward on all three; Reed declined to give consensus; Gustafson was excused.
Next: Any funding or specific project must return for separate Commission action; the specialty plate needs a resolution, with a target launch of July 1.

Background: City Manager Lake cited nearly $8 million in grants, fee waivers and partnerships, plus the Housing Authority, Trust Fund and tax increment districts.
Building Plan Library: Starts with accessory dwelling units and small homes, later duplexes and cottages. Mostly staff review time, no major upfront cost, posted on the City website; designers keep ownership and license directly.
Specialty plate: Proceeds to the Trust Fund, design with the Public Art Committee, roughly $15,000 a year with enough participation, startup cost from existing City resources.
Showcase: Two prototype homes (precast concrete and modular) on City property, open for tours for about a year, then transferred to nonprofits. Josh Steed of Steed Industries asked for a small parcel and $150,000 toward a $300,000 demonstration project with private and Habitat for Humanity matches; Adrienne Cotton of Cotton Construction asked for endorsement, sponsors and a site. A state building codes official voiced Department of Labor and Industry support.
Limits: The City Attorney said consensus would not approve funding, a project or payment, and that no parcel or project is under consideration. Commissioners raised concerns about future funding requests.
Public comment: Chamber CEO Callie Aschim and two others spoke.

Presentations and consensus request; three Commissioners and the Mayor supported continuing, Reed declined to give consensus.