A long-awaited affordable housing project in Billings is one step closer to becoming reality — the LB Lofts, a 102-unit development on Sioux Lane in the Billings Heights, has secured its full funding package from 11 different sources after three years in development. With nearly 6,000 people on the affordable housing waitlist in Billings alone, the project aims to serve working residents whose rent costs are outpacing their wages. Construction could begin as early as this September, pending Billings City Council approval of a general contractor request for proposal.

From our Orchard Gardens property in Missoula, Executive Director Karissa thanks our volunteers from Windermere Real Estate, shares about our recent news article and blog, welcomes our two new board members and and invites you to Housing Night with the PaddleHeads on July 17.

Land in the the Billings Heights, which recently held pods from the Bakken oil fields, has been temporarily moved to a storage facility in preparation for construction on the LB Lofts expected to start this summer.

For Evelyn Foursouls, moving into the Baatz Block Apartments was more than finding a place to live. It was a turning point.

"I was sleeping on the sidewalk, actually. And so, when I finally got it, I was very blessed and — dream come true, I guess," Foursouls said.

We love Montana. The mountains, rivers, lakes and forests are part of what makes life here so special. But living in a beautiful wild place also means being prepared for wildfire season.

Whether you rent an apartment or own a home, being prepared for an emergency can help protect what matters most to you. When every minute counts, having a plan in place can make all the difference.

In the heart of downtown Great Falls, the historic Baatz Building is nearing the finish line on a major transformation—one that not only preserves more than a century of local history but also provides much-needed housing for some of the community's most vulnerable residents.

Homeword and NeighborWorks Great Falls recently received approval of the Historic Preservation Certification for the Baatz Block Apartments, a milestone that confirms the project qualified for federal historic rehabilitation tax credits.

Missoula-based nonprofit Homeword recently received $222K from Montana banks and credit unions in partnership with the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines (FHLB Des Moines) Member Impact Fund.

If you live in Missoula, you have likely driven down Reserve Street—or perhaps walked or biked along the River Trail—past Orchard Gardens. With solar panels on the roofs of multi-family rental homes and farms and gardens woven throughout the property, this community shows what is possible when affordable housing, climate solutions and local agriculture combine to create a healthier, more vibrant community.

Homeword Executive Director Karissa talks property improvements, the expansion of our HomeOwnership Center programs, our lending partners who supported us in the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines Member Impact Fund , Missoula Gives and more in this Executive Director Insight video!

Several local projects related to housing affordability and homelessness prevention will soon secure a portion of federal and local funds worth $1.5 million, city officials shared Wednesday morning. 

The money largely comes from annual federal grants awarded to the city, including Community Development Block Grants (CDBG), the HOME Investment Partnership Program and a separate HOME grant through the American Rescue Plan Act.

Stockman Bank, in partnership with the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines (FHLB Des Moines), is pleased to announce that 11 Montana organizations were chosen to receive affordable housing and community development grants to help Montana families find a safe and affordable place to call home. 

United Way of Missoula County and Homeword proudly announce a brand-new collaboration during this year’s Missoula Gives. These two organizations are teaming up to support the Housing Solutions Fund (HSF), one of the community’s most effective tools to help neighbors quickly exit houselessness or avoid eviction and remain in their homes.

Residents in northwest Montana will have new opportunities this spring to get face-to-face help navigating the homebuying process and building financial skills.

Homeword has begun offering in-person homebuyer and financial education classes in the Flathead Valley, expanding access to face-to-face learning opportunities for residents in northwest Montana.

In this Executive Director Insight video, Karissa joins Scott Burke, President and CEO of First Security Bank, to talk about our partnership and Homeword's recent Sustainable Communities Benefit Luncheon.

Carmen and Zoe, new homeowners and residents of Alberton, share how they forged a successful path to homeownership with support from our homebuyer education program. In our Get Ready for HomeOwnership class, they gained clarity and confidence, learning at their own pace and understanding what was truly affordable for them. With personalized counseling, they explored loan options, assessed their financial readiness and made informed decisions without pressure. Today, they’re proud homeowners, with space to build community and host loved ones. What once felt out of reach is now an exciting new chapter made possible with the right support.

March is Women’s History Month, and at Homeword we recently celebrated International Women’s Day on March 9. Homeword originated from Women’s Opportunity and Resource Development (WORD), a women’s organization founded to uplift women. Although we have been independent from WORD for 32 years, its core mission lives on at Homeword as we continue to recognize, join hands with and celebrate women in our homes and communities. 

At Homeword, our commitment to sustainability includes actively supporting and encouraging sustainable commuting for all employees. Team members regularly carpool, walk, bike, and sometimes ride the bus to work, and we provide covered bike parking to make active transportation easier.

When Susan and her husband first moved to Junegrass Place in Kalispell, they were exhausted, heartbroken, and financially drained. After years of caring for her husband, whose disability had shaped their lives for decades, his condition suddenly worsened. Piece by piece, the life they had built began to fall apart.

Missoula Community Access Television (MCAT) Media interviewed educators Chelsea Nichols and Alex Ramsing on “Your Missoula” about Homeword and our financial and homebuyer education programs.