Mayor and United Way CEO discuss housing recommendations in Missoula

The City of Missoula held a Focus on Affordability Forum on February 27, 2007, where key discussions centered on housing affordability and the need for a collaborative approach to address local housing challenges. The meeting highlighted the importance of understanding the city's infrastructure needs, including water, sewer, and roads, as foundational elements that influence housing development.

Susan Kramer, CEO of United Way, raised concerns about the effectiveness of a recent study commissioned by an ad hoc fair housing task force. She emphasized the necessity of reviewing the study's recommendations and suggested convening a group of stakeholders, including city and county representatives, developers, and housing advocates, to evaluate the findings. Kramer expressed the importance of not letting the study's insights go unutilized and advocated for a structured discussion to explore potential solutions for housing issues in Missoula.

The mayor acknowledged the need for further dialogue and collaboration, noting that there seems to be a general consensus among community members about the importance of finding housing solutions for working families. The meeting concluded with a call for collective action to address the housing crisis, emphasizing the need for a trained facilitator to guide future discussions effectively.

Overall, the forum underscored the urgency of addressing housing affordability in Missoula and the importance of community involvement in shaping effective strategies moving forward.