Governor Gianforte Helps Break Ground on Helena Apartments

Governor Gianforte Helps Break Ground on Helena Apartments

• September 23 2024

HELENA, Mont. - Governor Greg Gianforte today joined United Housing Partners to break ground on the Twin Creek Apartments in Helena.

"The shortage of affordable, attainable housing across our state is one of the biggest issues facing Montanans," Gov. Gianforte said. "Coming together, we've delivered the most meaningful pro-housing reforms in state history and working together we'll continue to increase the supply to bring the American dream of homeownership into greater reach."

Gov. Gianforte helping break ground on the Twin Creek Apartments in Helena

The Twin Creek Apartments on Helena's east side are estimated to be constructed over the next 18 months and will include 72 units of one-, two-, and three-bedroom homes.

During a ceremony held on the 2.1-acre construction site, the governor spoke about his efforts to increase the supply of housing across the state.

Mentioning the work of his Housing Task Force, Gov. Gianforte highlighted several of the recommendations he signed into law last year including the Montana Land Use Planning Act to advance pro-housing reforms in local jurisdictions, measures to end exclusionary zoning to increase access to starter homes, like duplex housing, and to boost the state's skilled workforce through apprenticeships.

The governor also spoke to laws that streamline permitting for commercial and residential development by eliminating local design review by volunteer boards, reducing costs associated with permitting delays.

Gov. Gianforte speaking during a groundbreaking ceremony for the Twin Creek Apartments in Helena

Joining Gov. Gianforte for the groundbreaking was United Housing Partners Principal Tyson O'Connell who spoke to the importance of working together with state, local, and federal partners on housing projects like the Twin Creek Apartments.

"Housing affordability is the top issue for Montanans right now, and solutions require innovation and determination. We could not deliver the Helena community these 72 beautiful new homes without the collaboration and support of our many partners. We are grateful to the leaders who have refused to sit idly and who have instead stepped up with ideas and resources to fight this affordability problem," O'Connell said.

Spearheading state efforts to resolve the housing supply shortage, the governor launched a diverse, bipartisan Housing Task Force in July 2022. The governor's task force produced two reports last year that identified problems at the root of the state's housing shortage and provided solutions that could be implemented administratively or through changes to law.

In August, Gov. Gianforte received the third report of 23 recommendations from the task force which included proposals to streamline procedures to construct housing, to clarify roles and responsibilities between building codes and fire marshals, and to set reasonable limits on local impact fees, which can increase housing costs.

More information on the Governor's Housing Task Force and its recommendations may be found here.

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