From Ogren Park, Homeword Executive Director Karissa offers a preview of our May newsletter content and invites the community to Housing Night, a special event in collaboration with Missoula’s PaddleHeads baseball team, Park Side Credit Union and other housing organizations.

At Homeword, we know that a safe, healthy, and energy-efficient home is the foundation for people to thrive. That’s why we’re making big investments in the long-term quality of our rent-restricted rental homes across Montana. When we take care of our buildings, we’re taking care of our residents.

In addition to transforming part of our office into a financial empowerment hub for Financial Educator Chelsea, we’ve launched four major property improvement projects that reflect our commitment to resident well-being and sustainable stewardship of our rental communities.

NeighborWorks Great Falls‘ permanent supportive housing project is nearing completion.

NWGF partnered with Homeword, out of Missoula, and local firm BSPARK Architecture to turn the Baatz building, built in 1913 at 400 2nd St. S. into permanent supportive housing units and a community services center on the main floor.

Sherrie Arey, NWGF director, said during a March event that they’re planning a grand opening for June.

The Missoula Paddleheads and local housing organizations are teaming up to raise money for housing efforts in the Garden City.

Homeword and Missoula Housing Authority are excited to announce Housing Night, an inaugural promotional night with the Missoula PaddleHeads in partnership with Park Side Credit Union on Thursday, July 17, 2025. 

Katie and Larry Neskey share about their family's transition from a farming lifestyle in St. Ignatius to a new life in Butte, Montana. After nine years of farming, they realized it was time for a change—something that would better support their family, especially their two children who have special medical needs.

Homeword, in collaboration with HomeFront, is bringing much-needed affordable housing to Billings with its latest development, LB Lofts. This innovative multi-family rental community will provide 101 safe, healthy and affordable homes for local residents. Utilizing a hybrid modular construction approach—combining modular components with traditional stick-built framing—LB Lofts is designed to deliver high-quality housing efficiently and sustainably.

Taina Curry devoted herself to raising three daughters as a single mother, doing whatever it took to provide for her family. It was a constant financial struggle. But even as her children reached adulthood, stability remained out of reach.

Executive Director Karissa is proud that Homeword is adapting to change and continuing to move forward, and she invites applications to our board of directors.

The housing stock in the Flathead Valley is increasing, but not enough yet to bring prices down.

Heading into the new year, the Flathead should see a healthier housing market, said Lakeside real estate agent David Fetveit. Construction costs have normalized from two years ago, but high interest rates continue to be the bane of the housing market.