<body><div><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=0QdWsD_1GxhLrXC00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0QdWsD_1GxhLrXC00" width="800" height="450" >WHITEFISH, Mont. — The cost of housing in Whitefish is creating challenges for residents.Local groups were invited the public to a housing symposium to hear from local experts about housing market data and resources.<div style="position:relative;width:100%; height:0; padding-bottom: 56.25%;"><iframe allowfullscreen src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/4Lc8fn8IBNs?enablejsapi=1&version=3&playerapiid=ytplayer" frameborder="0" style="width:100%; height:100%;top:0; left:0; position:absolute"></iframe></div>The housing challenge in Whitefish extends beyond people trying to buy their first home. Whitefish is one of the most expensive communities in Montana.“If you fast forward to today, the median home price is over a million dollars and the median household of four income is a hundred thousand. You can see that income has gone up, it’s gone up about 45% but the home prices have gone up about 150%,” said Daniel Sidder, executive director at Housing Whitefish.That gap is creating challenges for workers and employers across the community. About 60% of people who work in Whitefish commute into the city.Local leaders said that without more diverse housing options, it becomes difficult for the people keeping this community running to live here.One business presented actions it's taking to recruit externally, retain and upscale its workforce. Logan Health created a Housing Connect page, providing employees with available resources and housing options.“All we’re doing is facilitating people to the needs, trying to get them connected in with what’s available, where can we meet them, how does that work. Again, trying to get people to think and research ahead of time before their signing,” said Rachel Smalley, system director HR business partners and talent acquisition at Logan Health.Meanwhile, Housing Whitefish is expanding its own workforce rental assistance efforts after receiving new funding to launch the Big Mountain Workforce Rental Assistance Program.“If you work up in the Big Mountain Resort Area District, there’s a handful of businesses, then you can actually live outside of Whitefish. So our current program, the WRAP program, is live and work in Whitefish, this is actually opening up to district specific on where you work," said Sidder.Sidder said Housing Whitefish’s existing workforce rental assistance program has served more than 300 people.But city leaders say more housing options will be needed to meet the community’s long-term needs. A city housing needs assessment estimates Whitefish will need about 930 additional housing units by 2035.“It gives us a measurable target and a way to evaluate whether our policies, investments and partnerships are producing meaningful results. They also tell us that maintaining the status quo will not be enough, meeting the need will require both market rate housing and housing that is intentionally maintained at an affordable or attainable price," said Dana Meeker, city manager at City of Whitefish.The housing needs assessment helped shape Vision Whitefish 2045. The city says it’s looking at zoning reform, housing programs, and partnerships to create more options.While state and federal policy changes could also affect development, Sidder said solutions will require coordination across the community.“I think that Whitefish has enough resources, expertise, and people honestly in this room that can make our programs run. And that is where I really think that our best solutions are going to come locally," said Sidder.The challenge is not just building more housing in Whitefish; it’s making sure the people who work in the community have an opportunity to live there too.</div></body>

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WHITEFISH, Mont. — The cost of housing in Whitefish is creating challenges for residents. Local groups were invited the public to a housing symposium to hear from local experts about housing market data and resources. The housing challenge in Whitefish extends beyond people trying to buy their first home....

Symposium addresses housing challenges in Whitefish

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WHITEFISH, Mont. — The cost of housing in Whitefish is creating challenges for residents. Local groups were invited the public to a housing symposium to he

Symposium addresses housing challenges in Whitefish

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