[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6172752,"mediaKeyId","5387153-8076419d7b4d1ad66617bf9f99193367","parentId",5387153,"title","Tenants' rights and property-ownership disclosure surface as policy priorities at candidate forum","audioSeconds",153,"startMs",3130000,"endMs",3283000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5387153-8076419d7b4d1ad66617bf9f99193367&start=3130&end=3283","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5387153-8076419d7b4d1ad66617bf9f99193367/thumbnail_3130000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6172752/Missoula/Missoula-County/Montana/Tenants-rights-and-property-ownership-disclosure-surface-as-policy-priorities-at-candidate-forum","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6172752-c4fd7e293583ad002cce3e85c18d9598/orig.mp4?Expires=1771177828&Signature=MCTKQjK53Ge-jfvkg4lbRn0qcryOWyqZfww4uxR2zNDgS9NZg~4UNDa~YDf57T26QMvcbA4OXJm4Q~E6jCQ~yZrsx1vJuIniN5aZ67aPcWAc~sD3tKgpXTEwq3q3CEgrxCFFQhdwu0yvNPTMZ8AbQfYnNRgJ~3kPGb~A-KKjaGqAXJPyR0mzqTFmbGORt1UbauaIt~0sDl03HtFCimIgBtYWAX~AyeI6L0jtKiX0AqdGxs5-0zF1kDm159qLVYKxSIR8sXLwS4BRUuyMXz2MM-Gwru3R-HszzxfXBrhmjYWDLcCsYGvyvo1KoJGEeuDgzAKqVGkPcpZLFVUp1SkREQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Missoula, MT","date","2025-07-14T20:49:56Z","article","Candidates responded to audience questions about property ownership disclosure and tenants’ protections, with multiple forum participants expressing support for stronger tenant protections and greater transparency from elected officials.

Why it matters: Renters compose a sizable portion of Missoula residents and spoke repeatedly during the forum about eviction protections, legal representation and the fairness of landlord-tenant dynamics. Candidates said tenant-rights policies at the city level could protect vulnerable households and reduce homelessness.

When asked whether they would disclose property holdings, several candidates gave brief answers about current ownership: Rebecca Dawson said, “I have 1 house,” and other candidates answered that they were lifelong renters or owned no property. The wider policy exchange that followed produced two recurring proposals: a city-level tenants’ rights package and expanded access to legal representation for renters. One candidate said, “I would like to get tenants rights package,” and another urged a specific policy of a tenant “right to counsel” to reduce the imbalance in legal representation between landlords and tenants.

Candidates tied tenant protections to the housing affordability debate: they said ensuring access to counsel and enforceable tenant-rights standards would help prevent avoidable evictions and reduce downstream costs associated with homelessness and housing instability. Several candidates also supported disclosure of property holdings for elected officials as a transparency practice, although responses varied about current ownership.

Looking ahead: Candidates who favored tenant protections said they would pursue ordinance language early in a term and work with community advocates to draft enforceable measures. Several proposed coupling tenant-rights packages with funding or programs that expand affordable options.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Municipal Candidate Forum July 9, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Forum candidates endorsed tenant-rights measures and transparency on property holdings; several pledged to pursue a tenants' rights ordinance or tenant-right-to-counsel if elected.","taxTitle","Missoula, Missoula County, Montana","taxId",4050,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6172757,"Riverfront Triangle redevelopment and TIF funding draw mixed reactions from forum candidates",64,4623000,4687000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5387153-8076419d7b4d1ad66617bf9f99193367&start=4623&end=4687","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5387153-8076419d7b4d1ad66617bf9f99193367/thumbnail_4623000.jpg","/articles/6172757/Missoula/Missoula-County/Montana/Riverfront-Triangle-redevelopment-and-TIF-funding-draw-mixed-reactions-from-forum-candidates","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6172757-43bfd068e82f08a53998ca40e06a13de/orig.mp4?Expires=1771177828&Signature=CWqaoZfiSovlsx09shnAFgjJMJsA9uccVkr~xqOnkwwqJ6wi10I1NO0Vb-6mKTpAkz5m1k7UTbylKQyMXXIASLsDd2qoVDMheP4brNaDFiw4iY5XMrJL7SkyjQVTQLkPKV8C7NrgzTzI05aZdX25L8xYoT~Ga7cxvux5s0FKZ~iM~bj04cnF~~xLSB9Sue~If3OwGav4zRo0aNuudnvKY2ghwUcRLNfHVfr4PLYUCB2ir~rKap3ERe9WsDkBsJkq5hBwM7JXcHje7Y0HgNEsJtNNGDTnJPKPjN~1MXHCtZ4O6k6RhhlQ2BhcJYlf186v66xzF2gUPyuPYh9fE39Q8Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Candidates at the forum weighed in on the Riverfront Triangle redevelopment project and the planned use of public financing tools, including tax-increment financing (TIF). Several candidates said the underused riverfront site needs investment, while others urged stronger guarantees of public benefit and affordable housing in exchange for taxpayer support.

Why it matters: The Riverfront Triangle sits on prime downtown riverfront property. The city’s approach to financing and public benefit will shape how the site is used, how much public money is committed and whether affordable housing or public spaces are included in redevelopment.

Candidates described the site as underutilized blight that could be an asset if redeveloped. One candidate noted the project would redirect a significant amount of TIF money toward redevelopment while returning a portion to the city’s Affordable Housing Trust Fund. Candidates expressed differing priorities: some welcomed investment and predicted economic returns, while others called for strict deed restrictions or a stronger share of affordable units and public open space.

Several candidates said they want to ensure the city obtains “as much public benefit as we possibly can” from the project rather than subsidizing market-rate uses alone. Other speakers said redevelopment could catalyze further investment along nearby corridors and revitalize a vacant area that limits public access to the river.

Looking ahead: Candidates said they would review project terms, press for deed-restricted affordable units where public funding is used and seek transparency on TIF commitments. Multiple candidates emphasized the need to negotiate public-benefit terms if tax dollars are deployed.","Candidates at the Missoula forum debated the Riverfront Triangle project and the use of tax-increment financing, with some praising redevelopment and others urging stronger public benefit and affordable-housing commitments.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6172761,"Candidates split on moving public comment as residents say late meetings reduce participation",316,4778000,5094000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5387153-8076419d7b4d1ad66617bf9f99193367&start=4778&end=5094","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5387153-8076419d7b4d1ad66617bf9f99193367/thumbnail_4778000.jpg","/articles/6172761/Missoula/Missoula-County/Montana/Candidates-split-on-moving-public-comment-as-residents-say-late-meetings-reduce-participation","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6172761-81ee7bf97de76e16fe2963ccc0b764f4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771177828&Signature=kmg7Axm-BcJRUFguGw1rKZX7uoxWEh7oCsKDOquN0~mNDLRhxI2lMRmGT324MzPtCSBoJ9cwZd6hG3SZQJPKYD2EYGpxaIDa5cbtlAVwxX7etJGKzo3Miyvy76pI-kyjFNjib8d7HcADG0gu2X9-5QcnOR1DoPwvGLsPdlz~rp3NY1hzVviZt87K0ML4G3E~TMKlNomNLC7~KvKvyo6-5Na8cIFUyY-Qxa3p~vMO2HtlbAcYA4~K~c9rni11HwcKFMmZetbEJE73MuFmRR4Dbe~X3Kqo3j~CHuahaaH9gWMwfOakuBQpmKtiIR9ZAFwjsGxNUi-BUHI6bqOoDni66Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Multiple candidates and public commentators told the forum that moving the Missoula City Council public-comment period to the end of meetings has reduced resident participation and made it harder for people with schedules or children to speak. At the event, several candidates said they would support restoring public comment to the start of council meetings or otherwise finding ways to increase public access.

Why it matters: Public comment is the primary mechanism residents use to raise concerns directly to council; changes in timing affect who can attend and whether community input informs council decisions early in a meeting.

Betsy Krask, a Ward 1 candidate, said she did not have the full backstory for why public comment was moved but described the effect: “When meetings go till 10:00, it is really difficult for people to make public comment at the end of long meetings.” Another candidate told the audience, “You used to be able to show up to city council at 6PM and say whatever you need to say to your local government. It’s on the record.” Several candidates agreed that earlier public comment makes it easier for parents, students and working people to participate.

Candidates differed on details and said they wanted more information before changing policy. A few said they would support putting large, costly projects to a public vote. Others suggested exploring alternatives such as splitting comment periods by topic or holding earlier meetings when high public engagement is expected.

Audience questions at the forum highlighted a perceived reduction in participation since the change. One public question submitted in advance said public comment “has reduced dramatically since it was moved to the end of the meetings.” Candidates uniformly said they would review the history of the rule and consider returning comment to the start, with several urging the city to prioritize accessibility for residents.

Looking ahead: Candidates who favored change said they would pursue options to increase in-person and remote participation if elected. Several recommended studying why the change occurred and weighing staff convenience against resident access.","Several forum attendees and candidates argued moving public comment to the end of meetings has reduced participation; many candidates said they favor returning public comment to the start to improve access.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6172766,"Missoula candidates make housing supply and zoning reform the central focus of forum",1937,1103000,3040000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5387153-8076419d7b4d1ad66617bf9f99193367&start=1103&end=3040","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5387153-8076419d7b4d1ad66617bf9f99193367/thumbnail_1103000.jpg","/articles/6172766/Missoula/Missoula-County/Montana/Missoula-candidates-make-housing-supply-and-zoning-reform-the-central-focus-of-forum","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6172766-905f08c781fc181913581197bd7efd4a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771177828&Signature=Ms3~Q3Ywi9x-SNpp0ZdzhzMtflfR6qEjhwk5BbA~MtX9BM8y3jmWzGe0ocDlXHPsmnBtFy54YZjFNpZJBNwyLO6hPui0P99s-paN2kVpb51mavL8MFbdcNlBtSArFfaU8TW61mM8d2hML4gPGDK0pWVgfH-f3INIhIgZwY2hpuUa1WJGbiBm~9i-m4~0vbsFul4RnEob0MI-RM-9IT8ttRwXWovrZQm~l03bkDAdOcUk5y6ePqN07~VtCpgZWU0OE1GxmpOZnp0~g7H3AbEIP1puO-Qr~XKumyJ8Cs~TDLKYA8gQuyd5eLZxc9LVPc5qw~Nb1JeSRqitOJBxQUTOxw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Housing dominated a candidate forum for Missoula City Council seats, where multiple candidates said greater housing supply and zoning reform are the most urgent actions the city must take to address rising prices and homelessness. Candidates running in Wards 1, 2 and 3 repeatedly emphasized zoning changes, accessory dwelling units and public–private partnerships as levers to increase housing availability.

Why it matters: Missoula candidates framed housing as a crosscutting problem for affordability, workforce availability and homelessness. Several said market forces and short-term rentals have reduced long-term housing supply, and they proposed city policy changes to expand the number and type of homes available.

Candidates described the scale of the problem in direct terms. Justin Ponton, a Ward 2 candidate, said, “In the last 5 years, the median home price in the city of Missoula is up 59%.” Nathan Daniel Koyan, running in Ward 3, told the audience a local example of the pressure: “20% of the properties on my block alone are occupied by short term vacation rentals.” Incumbent City Council member Daniel Carlino framed housing as a human-rights issue: “I believe everybody should have, housing as a human right,” he said, linking housing policy to broader social services.

Specific proposals discussed at the forum included revising zoning and building codes to allow duplexes, triplexes, small multifamily units and backyard accessory dwelling units (ADUs); expanding funding for deed-restricted affordable housing; using Tax Increment Financing (TIF) and other public financing tools toward affordable units; and greater support for community land trusts and nonprofit-owned housing. Several candidates said code reform now underway offers a rare chance to allow more housing types across residential zones, which they argued could increase near-term supply in existing neighborhoods.

Candidates also debated what the city should do when private developers will not build deeply affordable housing. Suggestions ranged from redirecting existing public financing (citing TIF and Municipal Revitalization Authority tools) to creating or expanding city-owned or community-managed affordable properties and land-trust models. Justin Ponton called for continued use of public–private partnerships and TIF where appropriate; others argued for stronger deed restrictions and more direct public investment in below-market rental units.

Candidates agreed on the role of zoning reform and streamlined permitting to reduce construction delays and costs. One candidate described permitting timelines as part of the cost problem: lengthy approval processes make cost estimates unreliable and deter developers from starting projects.

The forum highlighted broad consensus on housing as the top municipal priority, while revealing different emphases: some candidates prioritized fiscal review and property-tax restraint as a way to ease pressures on homeowners and renters; others emphasized community land trusts and publicly managed housing as a corrective when the private market fails to produce affordable units.

Looking ahead: Candidates said they would pursue code changes, incentives for ADUs and partnerships with existing housing organizations if elected. Several urged more funding to the city’s Affordable Housing Trust Fund and stronger deed restrictions on subsidized units.","Candidates at a Missoula City Council forum prioritized housing affordability and supply, urging zoning changes, more housing supply, and expanded public funding tools such as community land trusts and TIF reallocation.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Tenants' rights and property-ownership disclosure surface as policy priorities at candidate forum

Riverfront Triangle redevelopment and TIF funding draw mixed reactions from forum candidates

Candidates split on moving public comment as residents say late meetings reduce participation

Missoula candidates make housing supply and zoning reform the central focus of forum