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4/18/2025
“Missoula This Week” is reported and written By Katie Fairbanks. Send your Missoula news and tips to [email protected].
Money set to go to veterans housing project, homeless prevention efforts
The Missoula City Council is considering awarding nearly $885,000 in federal housing funds and about $118,000 from the city’s Affordable Housing Trust Fund to local organizations.
The projects receiving the largest chunks of federal funding include the Poverello Center’s new veterans transitional housing site at the former Clark Fork Inn, Partnership Health Center’s Watershed Navigation Center and the rehabilitation of a downtown affordable housing apartment building.
Each year, the city receives money from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development that must benefit low- and moderate-income residents and improve the supply of affordable housing, assist with public improvements and fund eligible public services, said Kendra Lisum, grant administrator with the Community Planning, Development and Innovation Department. The city is still waiting to receive its federal funds, which is not unusual for this time of year, Lisum said. The city will finalize contracts with the grant awardees after it receives the federal allocation, she said.
The city received nine applications, with requests exceeding available funding, according to the staff report. The department recommended that the city council award money to seven projects.
“All these different organizations are trying to do whatever they can to help house or keep Missoulians housed,” said Council Member Mirtha Becerra. “They’re all worth investing in, but I think we have pretty limited resources. I hope there’s going to be a day when we can just say yes to all of them.”
The city typically receives about $550,000 in Community Development Block Grant funds, which can be used for housing, infrastructure and public services, Lisum said. It plans to award $247,520 to the Poverello Center to help construct the new location for its Housing Montana Heroes veterans housing program. Construction will begin late this summer, according to the Poverello Center. About $74,755 will go toward the Missoula Parks and Recreation’s afternoon child care program to follow the school district’s “Jumpstart” early literacy summer program in the mornings.
Staff recommended awarding $200,000 in HOME Investment Partnerships Program funds to Homeword to help rehabilitate the Lenox Flats mixed-use building in downtown, which includes 10 affordable apartments. As a community housing development organization, Homeword will also receive $17,535 for operating expenses.
From the city’s one-time allocation of HOME-ARP (American Rescue Plan Act) funds, $299,935 will go to Partnership Health Center’s Watershed Navigation Center to provide treatment and services for people who are homeless, at risk of losing their housing and/or who are involved in the criminal justice system. The Human Resource Council will receive $100,000 for rent and deposit assistance to prevent homelessness and $11,945 for operating expenses.
The city will keep an estimated $106,790 of CDBG funds and $35,000 of HOME funds to support grant administration, planning, management, technical assistance and compliance, according to the staff report.
The $118,605 from the city’s Affordable Housing Trust Fund will go toward the United Way of Missoula County’s Housing Solutions Fund, which helps people obtain housing or prevent losing their housing. The Affordable Housing Trust Fund is funded by an annual allocation from the city council and revenue from city land sales. If the fund receives enough revenue in the next several months, the city may open up for grant applications, said Colleen Kane, a grant administrator.
The city council will vote on the requests during a public hearing on May 5.
Public Notice
The Missoula City Council has set a public hearing for Monday to consider annexing 2100 Flynn Lane and amending a development agreement to make way for a 170-unit senior residential community on the property.
Spokane-based development firm Inland Group plans to develop the property, along with surrounding land already located in city limits, into a 55+ apartment building with several amenities.
The landowner, Mullan Land Holding, LLC, is requesting that the city annex the one-acre parcel and that the property be zoned as B2-1 Community Business, which allows several types of residential buildings, public uses and some commercial uses. The property is surrounded by city limits and is within the city’s utility service area, said Dave DeGrandpre, the city planning supervisor.
The city is recommending as conditions of approval that the developer plan for and install improvements to Flynn Lane, including sidewalks, curbs, gutters and boulevards and dedicate an additional right-of-way easement along the western property boundary.
The developer also requested an amendment to a development agreement with the city and other adjacent property owners to include 2100 Flynn Lane and plans for the senior community. The 2019 agreement covers 57.7 acres north of Mullan Road and east of Flynn Lane and did not originally include 2100 Flynn Lane. The agreement increased the types of uses allowed on the site while also limiting commercial development locations and density in some areas, DeGrandpre said.
As part of the change, the developer is requesting increased density in the area around 2100 Flynn Lane to allow for the 170-unit apartment building, DeGrandpre said. Even with the proposed change, the site would be less dense than the zoning typically allows for, he said. The developer agreed to donate $178,500 to the city’s Affordable Housing Trust Fund for the density bonus. The developer also plans to adjust the boundary lines to create a parcel on the northern end of the property.
Andrew Bernard with Inland Group said the company is committed to the project and submitted its building permit application to the city. Inland Group has developed, constructed and manages more than 30 similar senior communities in several states, he said.
The developer hopes to break ground this summer and open 16 to 18 months later, said John Fisher with Inland Group. The community’s target market is middle-class residents who don’t need assisted living but are looking for a retirement lifestyle, he said.
“We see it as an affordable option for seniors who want to downsize but can’t afford and don’t need a higher level of care,” Fisher said.
Municipal election season begins
Thirteen Missoulians had filed for the 10 municipal seats up for election this year as of Thursday afternoon.
Candidate filing opened Thursday and continues through June 16. The municipal primary is Sept. 9, and the general election is Nov. 4.
Mayor Andrea Davis, who announced her re-election campaign in February, filed to run Thursday morning. Davis was elected in November 2023 to complete former Mayor John Engen’s term after he died in 2022. Brandi Atanasoff, a public relations consultant who ran for mayor in 2023 but lost in the primary, also filed for the position.
Each city council ward has one of its two seats up for election.
Elizabeth “Betsy” Craske, a Sussex School teacher, and Lucas Moody filed for the Ward 1 seat. Incumbent Jennifer Savage filed for the Ward 3 seat because she is moving to the area this summer, she told Montana Free Press.
Hayden Cook, who helped unionize the Brooks Street Starbucks, and Justin Ponton filed for the Ward 2 seat. Incumbent Sierra Farmer had not filed as of Thursday afternoon.
Along with Savage, Ward 3 incumbent Daniel Carlino filed for his seat, as did Nathan D. Coyan.
Mike Nugent, Ward 4, and Stacie Anderson, Ward 5, filed to keep their seats and did not have challengers as of Thursday afternoon.
Incumbent Kristen Jordan filed for her Ward 6 seat along with Chris Foster, a retired electrician.
All three municipal judges — Jennifer Streano, Eli Parker and Jacob Coolidge — are up for election. No one had filed for the positions as of Thursday afternoon.
Information about candidate eligibility and the list of current filings are available on the county’s election website.
5 Things to Know in Missoula
The Missoula County Elections Office will mail ballots on Monday for the school and special district election on May 6. Polling places will not be open for this all-mail election. Not all residents may receive a ballot or be eligible to vote, depending on what jurisdiction they live in, according to the elections office. Depending on voters’ location, the ballot may include levies for school districts and fire districts, as well as school board positions and special district positions. Voters who need to register or make changes to their registration must do so in person at the Elections Office Building B. A list of 10 ballot drop boxes that will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Election Day is available online. Voters can check their registration status and address information and view sample ballots at myvoterpagemt.com.
On Thursday, the Missoula Redevelopment Agency board approved contributing the $44,420 left over from building bathrooms at the Johnson Street homeless shelter to the city’s effort to house shelter residents, contingent upon the city attorney’s approval. In 2023, the MRA allocated $500,000 in tax increment financing money for the project, and the Missoula Economic Partnership raised $274,225 in private donations. Of the money left over, $42,175 is from the TIF allocation. The city is working to raise $400,000 to pay for its five-month housing sprint to help shelter residents find housing before it closes the shelter at the end of August. Mayor Andrea Davis said the fund has $40,000 and a $150,000 commitment that will likely be made public next week. Since April 1, four people have found housing solutions, she said. In response to MRA board members’ questioning the sprint as an eligible use of TIF funds, Director Ellen Buchanan said the effort helps protect the agency’s investment in parks, trails and commercial areas that have seen negative impacts from the homeless population. The sprint could also potentially be categorized as an eligible relocation expense, said Dale Bickell, the city’s chief administrative officer. The board asked Buchanan to clear the proposal with the city attorney before moving forward.
The city is pushing back the release of its new zoning code to this summer to give adequate time for public engagement and for staff to complete a development manual along with the code, according to the city’s Community Planning, Development and Innovation Department. The city initially planned to release new zoning and a unified development code this spring, followed by the development manual later this fall. Based on feedback from frequent code users, such as builders, architects, engineers and contractors, the city plans to release the manual alongside the code to decrease the risk of inconsistencies. By early June, the city will introduce the proposed zoning with a dedicated community engagement period. The following month, staff will introduce the new code and manual, allowing frequent code users to review the documents together. The Missoula Redevelopment Agency board on Thursday approved spending $179,000 in tax increment financing money to support the code reform project. Of that, $67,000 will complete the consultant’s contract and $112,000 will partially fund salaries of city staff working on the new code.
Residents looking to be more involved in the community can connect with local organizations during the Mission Match-Up Volunteer Expo on Tuesday. Nearly 60 nonprofits and civic groups will participate in the speed-dating-style event from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Missoula County Fairgrounds. Organizers created the expo to help address Missoula’s aging volunteer force, according to a county press release. The event features live music by Shane Clouse, refreshments and door prizes, including Zootown Music Festival tickets, week-long Western Montana Fair carnival ride passes, Missoula Stampede, Lords of Dirt and Griz game tickets, lodging packages and gift bags and gift cards.
Tenants can learn about their rights and how to organize during a workshop held by the Missoula Tenants Union and North Missoula Community Development Corporation on Saturday. Attendees will hear how tenants organized to improve accessibility or purchased homes as housing co-ops, how to research rental ownership information and tips for organizing neighbors and winning demands. Organizers will also provide resources for tenants facing housing discrimination. The workshop runs from 10 a.m. to noon at the Headwaters Confluence Center, 119 Main St.
Support for Moms
Two Men and a Truck is collecting donations for Mountain Home Montana as part of its annual “Movers for Moms” campaign. This is the Missoula branch’s seventh year participating in the company’s nationwide donation drive and fundraiser to support women around Mother’s Day, said Troy Bawden, the Missoula director.
Mountain Home Montana houses young mothers and pregnant women and provides support services, including mental health care, substance use recovery and connecting to other resources.
The campaign, which runs through May 8, encourages donations of items such as soap, shampoo, conditioner, lotion, baby wipes, diaper cream, grocery store gift cards and gas cards.
Two Men and a Truck has collection boxes at its office at 1620 Rodgers St., Orange Street Food Farm, Orangetheory Fitness and Hearts Afire Pottery and Art Studio, where people can drop off donations. Throughout April, proceeds from the Sunrise Saloon’s “Pay It Forward Bingo” held on Wednesdays will support Mountain Home.
“Two Men and a Truck is a company that likes to give, and we love helping out communities,” Bawden said. “This is a great way to do that.”
Might Be Fun
The 56th annual Kyiyo Pow Wow Celebration takes place Friday and Saturday at the University of Montana’s Adams Center. The Kyiyo Native American Student Association organizes the free event, which includes dancing, singing, story sharing and events. Grand entry times are 6 p.m. Friday and noon and 6 p.m. on Saturday. Started in 1968, the Kyiyo Pow Wow is one of the longest-running student-led pow wows and draws more than 5,000 attendees.
The WildWalk Parade and WildFest, celebrating wildlife and conservation, on Saturday will kick off the 48th annual International Wildlife Film Festival. The parade begins at 11 a.m. in the lower parking lot at the end of South Pattee Street and travels up Higgins Avenue to the XXXX’s. Everyone is invited to dress as their favorite flora or fauna and join the parade. The festival begins at the end of the parade and runs until 2 p.m. The event will include live music, food trucks and activities hosted by local organizations to share knowledge about wildlife and conservation.
The film festival runs from Saturday through Thursday at The Roxy Theater. The opening night film, “Lost Wolves of Yellowstone,” followed by a discussion with the director and editor, will be shown at 7 p.m. at the Wilma Theater. The festival schedule and ticket information are available online.
