Workforce Housing

Connecting with and informing the community to provide workforce housing services, programs, training, and education. Our mission is to increase the quality and choices of housing in Red Lodge and the surrounding rural communities, provide the community with awareness of housing issues, and expand housing opportunities through training and education.

Our goal is to maintain the integrity and uniqueness of Red Lodge’s small-town culture along with our other rural communities and strengthen its economic well-being by influencing the housing environment to be more affordable, attractive, stable, and accessible for the local workforce. We strive to be efficient and knowledgeable, working with the communities to remain a trusted partner and respected authority on housing issues. The Workforce Housing Steering Committee is comprised of lenders, realtors, insurers, builders, the County, the City, businesses, and highly engaged volunteers who donate their time and expertise. In addition to our Workforce Housing Steering Committee, we currently partner with USDA Rural Development, Trust Montana, Beartooth RC&D, AmeriCorps NCCC and the HRDC Home Center to educate and take action on housing solutions.

We have successfully facilitated the building of 10 permanently affordable Mutual Self-Help homes on community land trusts since 2021, with 4 rental units completed in August of 2024. Numerous households have gained advantages from participating in first-time homebuyer education programs, financial literacy, and other counseling resources. In December of 2022, the “Carbon County Workforce Housing Study’ was completed and once again supported the need for affordable workforce housing. In April 2023, we were fortunate to host another AmeriCorps NCCC Team for 12 weeks that focused on the final phase of Mutual Self-Help Housing project in the Spires working three days a week for 12 weeks. In 2024 the Bridger Housing Study was completed.